The Mediating Effect of Relationship Authenticity on the Relationship Between the Disconnection and Rejection Schema and Marital Intimacy: Actor and Partner Effects

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the mediation effect of relationship authenticity on the relationship between disconnection and rejection scheme and marital intimacy in couples, using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Methods Using a sample of 270 couples (540 individuals) residing in Gyeonggi Province, this study measured disconnection and rejection schemas, relationship authenticity, and marital intimacy to examine the Actor Effect and Partner Effect based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). The relative significance of the effect sizes between paths was confirmed through equivalence constraints. SPSS and AMOS programs were used, and the significance of individual indirect effects was tested using the bootstrapping method. Results First, significant differences were found in relationship authenticity and marital intimacy as the results of examining the differences in variables by gender. Second, analysis of the impact of the disconnection and rejection schema on relationship authenticity showed that both husbands and wives exhibited the Actor Effect, while the Partner Effect was found to be statistically significant only for wives. Third, in assessing the impact of relationship authenticity on marital intimacy, both husbands and wives demonstrated the Actor Effect, with the Partner Effect being statistically significant only for wives. Finally, a complete mediation effect was found in examining the mediating effect of relationship authenticity on the relationship between the disconnection and rejection schema and marital intimacy. Both husbands and wives exhibited the Actor Effect, where perceived marital intimacy decreased due to reduced relational authenticity caused by disconnection and rejection schemas. Additionally, the Partner Effect was observed, which reduces marital intimacy for wives when the disconnection and rejection schema of husbands lowers the wives' relationship authenticity. Conclusions It was confirmed that examining disconnection and rejection schemas and improving relationship authenticity are important for enhancing marital intimacy. Based on these findings, implications for the study and suggestions for further research are discussed.