The Relationship between Domestic Violence and Marital Instability Mediated by Dysfunctional Attitudes in The Commitment of Women in Karaj during The COVID-19 Pandemy

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous effects on mental health and family-related issues. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between domestic violence and marital instability, with the mediation of ineffective attitudes, on the commitment of women in Karaj during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research employed a descriptive-correlational method and utilized a structural equation model. The statistical population comprised all married women living in Karaj from 1400 to 1401. A sample of 200 individuals was selected through the available sampling method, and they responded to questionnaires on marital commitment, domestic violence, standard marital instability, and ineffective attitudes. The proposed model was analyzed using the structural equation modeling method and SPSS version 26, along with AMOS software. The findings indicated significant direct relationships at the 0.05 level, including the impact of domestic violence and marital instability on women's commitment, as well as the influence of ineffective attitudes on women's commitment and the connection between domestic violence and marital instability. Furthermore, indirect effects of marital instability and domestic violence through ineffective attitudes on marital commitment demonstrated a significant correlation. The modified structural model exhibited a good and desirable fit with the research data. Consequently, the confirmed relationship between domestic violence and marital instability, with the mediation of ineffective attitudes, on women's commitment in Karaj during the COVID-19 pandemic was discussed in light of Johnson's power theory and Stanley and Markman's commitment theory.
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Keywords




Marital Commitment, Domestic Violence, Dysfunctional Attitude, Marriage Instability
 
‌Introduction
The world encountered the sudden and surprising phenomenon of the COVID-19 pandemic, imposing limitations on social life, fostering isolation and uncertainty, and leading to increased tension and conflict among couples. This situation has negatively impacted mental health, particularly due to the rise in domestic violence. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund, one consequence of this pandemic was the surge in domestic violence (1). Undoubtedly, none of the social damages are separate from their impact on the family. Among the consequences of family dysfunction are marital incompatibilities and violence among members (2). Domestic violence stands out as the most common form of violence against women, often associated with women being deprived of individual and social freedoms (Danesh Nari & Khebri Noghani, 2022).
Marital instability and stability are significantly affected by domestic violence. Statistics indicate that the phenomenon of domestic violence is not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic; various factors, including ineffective attitudes, exert a substantial impact on it. Ineffective attitudes, both directly and indirectly through unadapted primary mental structures, exhibit a positive and meaningful relationship with domestic violence in women on the verge of divorce (3). According to Dong et al. (2022), among the structures closely related to marital life stability is marital commitment. Despite the limited focus on the role of marital stability and its relationship with women's commitment in marital life, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of ineffective attitudes has often been examined simplistically, not as a mediator. The present study aims to determine the relationship between domestic violence and marital instability, with the mediation of ineffective attitudes on women's commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Methodology
The current research is a descriptive study conducted using a correlational method and employing the structural equation type with a statistical path analysis method. The statistical population for this study comprised all married women residing in the city of Karaj during the years 1400-1401. A sample of 200 individuals was selected using the available sampling method. In this study, self-report tools, including questionnaires on marital commitment, domestic violence, marital instability, and ineffective attitudes, were utilized for data collection.
 
Findings
The findings indicated that the direct paths, encompassing the influence of domestic violence on women's commitment, marital instability on women's commitment, and ineffective attitudes on women's commitment, as well as the connection between domestic violence and marital instability among the sampled individuals, were correlated, and the relationships were significant at the 0.05 level. Additionally, the indirect effects of marital instability and domestic violence through ineffective attitudes on marital commitment were correlated, and the relationships were significant. The modified structural model of the research exhibited a desirable and good fit with the research data.
 
Result
This research aimed to determine the relationship between domestic violence and marital instability with the mediation of ineffective attitudes on the commitment of women in Karaj during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the research results, a relationship exists between domestic violence and marital instability with the mediation of ineffective attitudes on the commitment of women in Karaj during the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding aligns with the results of other studies. According to Johnson's (2007) power theory, violence in the family usually arises from the need to control and dominate women. This theory can provide an explanation for the increase in domestic violence during the corona period. Social limitations and economic stresses can cause some men to attempt to exert more power at home, leading to violence. It seems that increased violence negatively affects women's commitment to marriage, reinforcing this instability. On the other hand, according to the commitment theory of Stanley and Markman (1992), commitment is a key factor for marital stability. Based on the findings, ineffective attitudes play a significant role in reducing commitment. These attitudes can act as a mediator in the relationship between violence and instability. In other words, violence can strengthen ineffective attitudes, ultimately leading to a reduction in commitment. According to Bandura's (1977) social learning theory, behaviors are learned from models and social experiences. Accordingly, it is possible that women exposed to domestic violence learn ineffective attitudes and behaviors, weakening their commitment to marriage.
 
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