The mediating role of sexual satisfaction and somatic emotional conflicts in the relationship between object relations and marital satisfaction

The primary aim of this research is to examine whether sexual satisfaction and somatic emotional conflicts play a mediating role in the relationship between object relations and marital satisfaction. Additionally, the study looks into the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and the variables. This study, conducted through a simple random sampling method and based on voluntary participation using a Google survey, included 307 participants. Of the sample, 151 were male and 156 were female. It was assumed that participants answered the questions sincerely. Data collection tools included a demographic information form prepared by the researcher, the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory, the Marital Adjustment Scale, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and the Somatic Emotional Conflict Scale. The level and direction of relationships between the scales were examined using the Pearson Correlation method. To determine whether the scales differed according to demographic variables, Independent Groups t-tests and ANOVA tests were applied. Multiple Linear Regression methods were preferred for predictive analysis. All these statistical analyses were conducted with a 95% confidence interval, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. The findings of the research revealed a negative correlation between object relations and marital satisfaction. For the analysis of mediating variables, the Process macro add-on was used. According to the mediator role analyses, it was found that sexual satisfaction and somatic emotional conflicts play a mediating role in the relationship between object relations and marital adjustment. The results of the mediator role analyses showed that sexual satisfaction has a mediating role and somatic emotional conflicts have a partial mediating role in the relationship between object relations and marital satisfaction. The findings obtained from the analyses were discussed in the light of the literature, and it is aimed that the results of the research will contribute to the literature and future studies.