The Relationship between Trait Anxiety, Attachment, Sexism, Relationship Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction among Iranian Couples

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of gender, trait anxiety, attachment and sexism on relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction among Iranian couples who are studying in EMU. Seventy seven Iranian couples were selected as a sample to answer the scales including; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the revised version of Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory (ECRI-R), Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and Satisfaction With Life scale (SWLS). The findings of the study showed higher trait anxiety was related to low life satisfaction but it was not related to relationship satisfaction, and women showed higher trait anxiety compare to men. Secure attachment style predicted higher life satisfaction via the mediating role of higher relationship satisfaction. There was no difference between men and women in attachment style. Hostile Sexism (HS) showed a trend in predicting low relationship satisfaction and Benevolent Sexism (BS) did not predict relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction, although men’s BS and HS scores were higher than women. The results are discussed in light of the Iranian culture. Keywords: Trait anxiety, attachment, sexism, relationship satisfaction, life satisfaction