Marital attitude as a mediator in the relationship between marital spirituality and marital commitment

Marriage is a fundamental institution in many societies, that unites a male and a female to create offspring, and family and to nurture future generations (Larson & Holman, 1994; Naghibi & Hamidi, 2015; Reich & Kalantar, 2018). To add on, marriage is a sacred union, that is governed by laws, beliefs, and customs that establish the rights and responsibilities of both husband and wife (Britannica, 2024). Marriage is often influenced by a complex interplay of spiritual beliefs, personal attitudes, and social commitments. A married relationship is a commitment between spouses, and maintaining a sustainable marriage is essential because it provides stability and support for both partners and their families (Azadarmaki, et al., 2003; Juhari et al., 2019). AbdAleati et al., (2016) suggest that religious and spiritual beliefs often play an important role in shaping a quality and stable marriage. Many 94 Wanita Membina Masyarakat Sejahtera studies on human well-being, including marital relationships, have highlighted the importance of the spiritual aspect (Fachrunnisa, et al., 2019; Salman, & Lee, 2019). A positive impact in all areas of human life has been observed when individuals have a strong spiritual dimension (Khurana & Joshi, 2017; Khakpour et. al., 2018). Moreover, in the context of marriage, existing evidence suggests that a strong spiritual orientation is associated with greater marital satisfaction (Robles et al., 2014). According to Rusbult's investment model (Rusbult, 1980, 1983), high marital commitment predicts marital stability. A highly committed individual in marriage is likely to experience greater marital satisfaction, which, in turn, fosters dedication and contributes to the sustainability of the marriage. Thus, the literature suggests that individuals with a stronger spiritual orientation towards marriage hold more positive views about the marriage institution. This will contribute to a heightened sense of commitment to their partner. By integrating spiritual beliefs into their understanding of marriage, individuals may find additional motivation and meaning in their marital commitment. Thus, this will support and sustain their partnership through various challenges in turn making couples have a higher satisfaction in marriage (Aman et al., 2019; Kasapoğlu & Yabanigül, 2018; Rajabi, et al., 2017). On top of that, another factor believed in maintaining commitment in a married relationship is having a positive marital attitude. Positive marital attitudes are important for engaging in a long-term relationship, as they impact happiness, satisfaction, health, and psychological wellbeing Musick & Bumpass, 2012; Umberson, et al., 2010; Vanassche, et al., 2012). These attitudes reflect an individual's perceptions and desires regarding their marital life (Wood, Avellar, & Goesling, 2008). Whitton et al., (2013) reported having a positive marital attitude can positively influence an individual's behavior in the relationship. This encourages them to work through challenges and maintain high marital quality. In contrast, a negative marital attitude can undermine trust and faithfulness which leads to less marital satisfaction and commitment (Etcheverry & Le, 2005; Riggio & Weiser, 2008). Marital Attitude as a Mediator in the Relationship… 95 Therefore, this study aimed to explore the mediating effect of marital attitude in the relationship between marital spirituality and marital commitment. Studying these variables is important due to the lack of research and published materials focusing on the role of spirituality and how attitudes toward marriage can influence marital commitment among Malaysians.

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