Structural Modeling of Marital Instability Based on Schema Modes with the Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance among Women with Early Marriage

Abstract

The present study aimed to explain the role of schema modes in predicting marital instability through the mediating role of experiential avoidance among women with early marriage. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all women with early marriage living in Shiraz during 2025–2026. A total of 200 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Marital Instability Index developed by Booth et al., the Schema Mode Inventory developed by Lobbestael et al., and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II developed by Bond et al. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and Amos software. Path analysis and bootstrapping procedures were used to test the proposed model. The findings indicated that experiential avoidance had a significant positive relationship with marital instability (p<0.01, r=0.73). In addition, child modes (β=0.30), parent modes (β=0.17), maladaptive coping modes (β=0.14), and integrated healthy modes (β=0.24) significantly predicted experiential avoidance (p<0.01). Structural model results demonstrated that experiential avoidance significantly mediated the relationship between child modes and marital instability (β=0.197), parent modes and marital instability (β=0.108), maladaptive coping modes and marital instability (β=0.089), as well as integrated healthy modes and marital instability (β=0.160). The model fit indices confirmed a satisfactory model fit (RMSEA=0.03, CMIN/DF=1.35, CFI=0.99). The results demonstrated that schema modes could increase marital instability among women with early marriage through heightened experiential avoidance. Therefore, therapeutic interventions focusing simultaneously on modifying maladaptive schema modes and reducing experiential avoidance may improve marital stability and relationship quality in this population.