Perceived Emotional Neglect as Predictor of Marital Satisfaction and Psychological Distress Among Married Women in Osun State. the Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation

Emotional neglect in close interpersonal relationships has been recognized as a serious issue that can have long-term effects on an individual's well-being and their relationship quality . Yet, there is limited research on how spousal emotional neglect can impact marital quality and psychological health of married women and not much is known about the role that emotion regulation plays in relationships between emotional neglect, marital satisfaction and psychological distress. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between emotional neglect, marital satisfaction, and psychological distress among married women in Osun State. The study used a correlational research design, and data were obtained from 296 married women across five local government areas in Osun central senatorial district using purposive sampling. Standardized self-report questionnaires were used to assess emotional neglect, emotion regulation, marital satisfaction, and psychological distress. The findings revealed that emotional neglect significantly predicted marital satisfaction (b = –0.278, t(294) = 5.750, p < .001) and psychological distress (b = 0.992, t(294) = 16.546, p < .001). Furthermore, the outcomes also revealed that emotion regulation (indirectly) mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and both marital satisfaction (c’-path analysis; b= -0.201, t(294) = 4.173, p < .001; bootstrap = -0.296 – [-0.106]) and psychological distress (c’-path analysis; b= 0.852, t(294)= 15.174, p < .001; bootstrap = 0.742- 0.963) among married women. The study concluded that emotional neglect significantly predicted lower marital satisfaction and higher psychological distress, with emotion regulation serving as an indirect mediator in both relationships. Implications, recommendations and limitations are discussed.