Effect of Self-Expansion Motivation on Marital Engagement: Mediating Role of Novel Shared Experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-expansion motivation on marital engagement with the mediating role of novel shared experiences among married individuals. A descriptive correlational design was employed using a sample of 395 married adults from Brazil, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Standardized self-report instruments were used to measure self-expansion motivation, novel shared experiences, and marital engagement. Pearson correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21, respectively, to examine the direct and indirect relationships between the study variables and test the fitness of the proposed structural model. Pearson correlations showed significant positive relationships among self-expansion motivation, novel shared experiences, and marital engagement (r = .55 to .67, all p < .01). SEM results confirmed that self-expansion motivation significantly predicted novel shared experiences (β = 0.61, p < .001) and marital engagement (β = 0.32, p < .001). Novel shared experiences also had a significant direct effect on marital engagement (β = 0.59, p < .001) and mediated the relationship between self-expansion motivation and marital engagement (indirect β = 0.36, p < .001). The total effect of self-expansion motivation on marital engagement was substantial (β = 0.68, p < .001). Model fit indices indicated good fit (χ²/df = 2.34, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.057). The findings suggest that individuals with high self-expansion motivation are more likely to engage in novel shared experiences with their spouse, which in turn enhances marital engagement. Promoting relational novelty may serve as an effective strategy for strengthening long-term commitment and emotional investment in marriage.