Impact of Ruminative Thinking on Marital Anxiety: Mediated by Conflict Sensitivity

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of ruminative thinking on marital anxiety and to examine the mediating role of conflict sensitivity in this relationship. A descriptive correlational research design was employed using a sample of 366 married individuals from Turkey, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Data were collected using standard questionnaires for Ruminative Thinking, Conflict Sensitivity, and Marital Anxiety. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 to assess relationships among variables, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied using AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediation model. Assumptions of normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were checked and confirmed prior to analysis. The results showed that ruminative thinking had a significant positive correlation with both conflict sensitivity (r = .51, p < .001) and marital anxiety (r = .59, p < .001). Conflict sensitivity was also significantly correlated with marital anxiety (r = .54, p < .001). The SEM analysis revealed that ruminative thinking significantly predicted marital anxiety both directly (β = 0.37, p < .001) and indirectly through conflict sensitivity (β = 0.14, p < .001), with a total effect of β = 0.51 (p < .001). Model fit indices indicated a good fit (χ²/df = 2.39, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.061), confirming the partial mediating role of conflict sensitivity. The findings suggest that individuals with high ruminative thinking are more likely to experience marital anxiety, and that conflict sensitivity exacerbates this effect. Addressing both cognitive and emotional vulnerabilities may be essential in interventions aimed at reducing marital distress and enhancing relationship stability.