Predicting Children’s Behavioral Problems Based on Marital Satisfaction, Phubbing, and Differentiation of Self with the Mediating Role of Mothers’ Resilience

Authors

    Fahimeh Elyasi * Department of Counseling, Qo. C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran elyasi.fahim@gmail.com

Keywords:

Resilience, Differentiation of self, Marital satisfaction, Phubbing, Behavioral problems

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to predict children’s behavioral problems based on marital satisfaction, phubbing, and differentiation of self, with the mediating role of mothers’ resilience. The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population included 4- to 6-year-old children and their mothers residing in districts 8, 9, and 10 of Tehran in 2025-2026. To select the research sample, 250 participants (mothers and children) were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction (EMS) scale, the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the parent form of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that there is a significant negative relationship between mothers’ marital satisfaction, differentiation of self, and resilience with children’s behavioral problems, and a significant positive relationship between mothers’ phubbing and children’s behavioral problems ( ). Furthermore, the results indicated that marital satisfaction, phubbing, and differentiation of self can indirectly predict children’s behavioral problems through the mediating role of mothers’ resilience.

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Published

2026-07-01

Submitted

2025-12-13

Revised

2026-03-15

Accepted

2026-03-17

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Elyasi, F. (2026). Predicting Children’s Behavioral Problems Based on Marital Satisfaction, Phubbing, and Differentiation of Self with the Mediating Role of Mothers’ Resilience. Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal, 1-14. https://mhljournal.com/index.php/mhlj/article/view/200

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