Abstract
Background and aims: The present study aimed to test a predictive model of marital commitment based on cognitive emotion regulation and psychological flexibility, with the mediating role of sexual self-efficacy and sexual intimacy, among married female teachers in secondary schools of District 2, Bandar Abbas. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all married female teachers in secondary schools of District 2, Bandar Abbas. A sample of 300 individuals was selected using cluster sampling. Data were collected using the following questionnaires: the Marital Commitment Questionnaire (DCI), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), the Psychological Flexibility Inventory (CFI), the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), and a standardized Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling using SPSS version 27 and Smart PLS-4 software. Results: The results from examining the path coefficients of the structural equation model indicated that the model had a good fit. The direct path coefficients from cognitive emotion regulation to the variables of marital commitment, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual intimacy were statistically significant. Similarly, the direct path coefficients from psychological flexibility to the variables of marital commitment, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual intimacy were statistically significant. Furthermore, the results showed that the indirect paths from cognitive emotion regulation and psychological flexibility to marital commitment, mediated by sexual self-efficacy, were statistically significant and demonstrated meaningful indirect relationships with marital commitment. Conclusion: The findings confirm that cognitive emotion regulation and psychological flexibility directly predict marital commitment, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual intimacy.