Validation of Gottman's "Success and Failure in Marriage" Questionnaire based on the Multivariate Item-Response Theory

Aim: The success and failure of marriage plays a fundamental role in well- being of society and individuals. Therefore, it is highly desirable to have a method to evaluate and predict the future of a marriage. As such, the aim of the present study is to validate Gottman's (2012) “success and failure in marriage questionnaires”. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and the research design used a descriptive-correlation and test validation. Modern method of multivariate item-response theory was used for data analysis. The questionnaires used in this research were for validation, criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling, and attitude about Gottman’s past (1401). Results: In this study, the best model for factor analysis was determined to be the item-response multivariate factor analysis method and with the aid of this model, two dimensions were reported for the Gottman questionnaires. Also, the items factor loadings, the parameters of the Item-response theory and the analysis of the Items were reported. Conclusion: At the end, two dimensions of "fight mode" and "positive and negative emotions towards marriage and spouse" were identified for these questionnaires. Data analysis showed that Gottman's questionnaires have good validity in Iranian families and can be used in clinical, research and organizational environments and it is suitable to assess Iranian families. Also, the data in this research showed that Gottman's theory has good empirical support, regardless of the cultural context.