Structural equation modeling of emotional divorce: The role of resilience, emotional empathy, and cognitive flexibility with emotion regulation as a mediator in military families

Alipour, Arman; Khodabakhshi Koolaee, Anahita; Hasanvandi, Saba

doi:10.22034/27.3.11

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Volume 27, Issue 3 (10-2025)

EBNESINA 2025, 27(3): 11-24

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Structural equation modeling of emotional divorce: The role of resilience, emotional empathy, and cognitive flexibility with emotion regulation as a mediator in military families

Arman Alipour

, Anahita Khodabakhshi Koolaee ^*

, Saba Hasanvandi

Psychology and Educational Science Department, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran , a.khodabakhshid@khatam.ac.ir

Abstract: (198 Views)

Background and aims: Emotional empathy and resilience are recognized as interrelated psychological constructs across various studies. The theoretical linkage is grounded in research that develops conceptual frameworks to explain marital dynamics. This study aimed to investigate and structurally model the relationships among psychological factors influencing emotional divorce in military families, focusing on resilience, emotional empathy, and cognitive flexibility, with emotion regulation as a mediator.
Methods: A descriptive-correlational design was employed. The study population included military men and women at risk of emotional divorce. Through collaboration with a clinic affiliated with the Iranian Psychological and Counseling Organization, a sample of 300 participants was selected. The following instruments were used: 1) Emotional Divorce Questionnaire; 2) Emotional Empathy Questionnaire; 3) Cognitive Flexibility Inventory; 4) Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; and 5) Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM).
Results: The coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.636 for emotional divorce and 0.416 for emotion regulation. According to standard benchmarks (weak=0.19, moderate=0.33, strong=0.67), the effect on emotional divorce was relatively strong, while the effect on emotion regulation was moderate-to-high.
Conclusion: The SEM demonstrated acceptable fit. Enhancing resilience and empathy training can mitigate emotional divorce in military families by improving emotion regulation strategies.

Keywords: divorce, resilience, empathy, cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation

Full-Text [PDF 1675 kb] (127 Downloads) | | Extended Abstract (HTML) (82 Views)

Type of Study: Original | Subject: Military Psychiatry
Received: 2025/08/23 | Revised: 2026/08/27 | Accepted: 2025/11/18 | Published: 2025/11/22

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Alipour A, Khodabakhshi Koolaee A, Hasanvandi S. Structural equation modeling of emotional divorce: The role of resilience, emotional empathy, and cognitive flexibility with emotion regulation as a mediator in military families. EBNESINA 2025; 27 (3) :11-24
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