Modeling the Relationship Between Controlling Behavior and Differentiation With Spousal Violence Through the Mediation of Spiritual Well-being in Couples

The present study aimed to determine the goodness-of-fit of a model assessing the relationship between controlling behavior and differentiation with spousal violence, mediated by spiritual well-being in couples seeking counseling in Tabriz. The research method was descriptive-correlational in nature. The statistical population consisted of all spouses who referred to the social emergency centers of Tabriz during the first half of 2023, totaling 305 individuals. Using simple random and purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 240 participants were selected (n = 240). Data collection tools included the Haj-Yahya Violence Against Women Questionnaire (1999), the Revised Controlling Behaviors Scale by Graham-Kevan and Archer (2005), the Differentiation of Self Inventory by Skowron and Friedlander (1998), and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire by Gomez and Fisher (2003). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and LISREL software. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that controlling behavior has a direct and statistically significant positive effect on spousal violence (p < .05, β = .374); differentiation has a direct and statistically significant negative effect on spousal violence (p < .05, β = –.421). Findings from structural equation modeling revealed that controlling behavior indirectly and negatively influences spousal violence through the mediation of spiritual well-being (p < .05, β = –.508); similarly, differentiation indirectly and negatively influences spousal violence via spiritual well-being (p < .05, β = –.578). Therefore, the model of the relationship between controlling behavior and differentiation with spousal violence, mediated by spiritual well-being, fits well with the empirical data collected from couples seeking counseling services in Tabriz. These results may assist clinical professionals in promoting compassion and empathetic understanding while reducing spousal violence, enabling them to develop effective treatment plans by considering predictive factors in this population.