Role of Social Problem Solving in Moderating the Relationship between Stressful Life Events and Marital Distress among Husbands and Wives

The present study aimed to examine the role of Social Problem Solving in moderating the relationship between Stressful Life Events and Marital Distress among husbands and wives, and differnces between them in these variables. A Sample consisted of (211) husbands and wives (100 husbands, 111 wives). Their ages ranges from (25-45) years, the mean age of husbands was (39±5) years while the mean age of wives was (37.67±5.62) years. Three scales were used: Social Problem Solving Scale, prepared by D’Zurilla et al., (2002), translated by researcher, Stressful Life Events Scale, prepared by researcher, Marital Distress Scale, prepared by Amira fayek (2012). The results of the study revealed that there is a correlation between all dimensions of Social Problem Solving and Stressful Life Events in husbands, It was also found that there is a negative correlation between Rational Problem Solving Style and Marital Distress in them. In wives, Negative Problem Orientation, Impulsive Problem Solving Style and Avoidant Problem Solving Style was positively associated with Stressful Life Events, While Positive Problem Orientation was negative associated with it, also Impulsive Problem Solving Style and Avoidant Problem Solving Style was positively associated with Marital Distress. The results also showed that Social Problem Solving play a role in moderating the relationship between Stressful Life Events and Marital Distress in husbands and wives. The results of the study also indicated that there are differnces between husbands and wives in Positive Problem Orientation, Negative Problem Orientation and Rational Problem Solving Style, also differnces appaired in total degree of Stressful Life Events, Marital and Family stress, and Children´s stress towards wives, and that wives suffer from Marital Distress compared to husbands.