Development of a Mental Hardiness Training Package and Examining Its Effectiveness on Hostile Attribution and Self-Silencing in Women Affected by Marital Infidelity
International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences,
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026),
1 Khordad 2026
,
Page 41-49
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v13i1.50868
Abstract
Background and Aim: This study aimed to develop a psychological hardiness training program and examine its effectiveness in reducing hostile attribution and self-silencing among women experiencing marital infidelity.
Materials and Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was employed. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was conducted based on a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 16 experts, leading to the development of an eight-session psychological hardiness training program. Content validity was confirmed by a panel of specialists. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments and a control group was implemented. Thirty women were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (n = 15 per group). The experimental group participated in eight training sessions. Data were collected using the Hostile Attribution Scale (HAS) and the Silencing the Self Scale (STSS). Repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests were conducted using SPSS version 23.
Results: The findings revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in hostile attribution and overall self-silencing at posttest and follow-up (p < .05). The intervention effects were maintained at follow-up.
Conclusion: The psychological hardiness training program appears to be an effective intervention for reducing hostile attribution and self-silencing among women experiencing marital infidelity.
- Mental hardiness package; Hostile attribution; Self-silencing; Affected women; Marital infidelity
How to Cite
References
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