From Ego Strength to Marital Fidelity: Unveiling Commitment's Mediating Power Against Infidelity

Abstract

This research examined the mediating effect of marital commitment between ego strength and tendency toward marital infidelity in 300 married individuals (201 women, 108 men; mean age = 38.64 years, SD = 10.71) in Neyshabur, Iran. Data were collected through convenience sampling using the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths, Attitudes Towards Infidelity Scale, and Marital Commitment Questionnaire. Pearson correlations and path analysis through PROCESS Model 4 were used for analysis. Findings showed that ego strength was positively correlated with marital commitment (r = .41, p < .001) and negatively correlated with infidelity tendency (r = −.38, p < .001), and marital commitment was negatively correlated with infidelity tendency (r = −.29, p < .001). Path analysis demonstrated partial mediation by marital commitment (indirect effect: b = −0.03, SE = 0.02, 95% CI [−0.07, −0.01]), indicating that while marital commitment mediates the association between ego strength and infidelity tendency, a direct pathway also exists (b = −0.28, p < .001). The model accounted for 18% of the variance in marital commitment and 21% of the variance in infidelity tendency. These results highlight the protective associations of ego strength through strengthened marital dedication in relation to lower infidelity risks, particularly in the Iranian cultural setting, where family and religious ethics emphasize relational fidelity. These findings may inform psychodynamic and commitment-based interventions in couple therapy.