Predicting marital satisfaction based on elements of differentiation and inefficient negative reactions in mothers of mentally retarded children

Abstract

Introduction: The birth and presence of mentally retarded children per family can be a challenging and
undesirable event. Probably it will pursue stress, frustration, feelings of sadness and desperation. Thus it
will affect different aspects of parental marital satisfaction. The aim of this study is predicting marital
satisfaction based on elements of differentiation and inefficient negative reactions in mothers of mentally
retarded children.
Methods: The study considering objective is fundamental and descriptive in terms of data collection and
that it was done within the framework of a predicting correlation. The population of this study, is all
mothers with mentally retarded children studying in special schools of Abadan in the academic year of
95-96. 90 people were randomly selected from the population. After the elimination of inadequate cases,
sample size was reduced to 75 people. Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire, inefficient reactions and
differentiation was used to gather data.
Results: Based on the research findings, inefficeint reactions and among the elements of differentiation, I
Position were the best predictors of marital satisfaction.
Conclusion: The results of the study, believes that early relationships in the family environment leads to
high or low levels of differentiation and this early experience can directly affect on couples interpersonal
relationships in adulthood.