The Relationship Between Object Relations and Relationship Satisfaction, Marital Adjustment, and Sexual Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Narcissistic and Borderline Personality Traits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to elucidate the psychological dynamics of marital relationships, which are among the most significant structures of society. The purpose of research was to examine the mediating roles of borderline and narcissistic personality traits in the relationship between object relations and marital adjustment, relationship satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction. The study group consisted of adult individuals aged 18 and older. Of the total 809 participants, 407 (50.3%) are female and 402 (49.7%) are male, all of whom are married. 320 participants are in the 18-30 age range, 318 are in the 31-45 age range, and 171 are 45 years old and above. Marriage Adjustment Scale, Relationship Satisfaction Scale (RSS), Golombok-Rust Sexual Satisfaction Scale (GRSS) Female-Male Form, Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI), Borderline Personality Inventory, and Narcissistic Personality Inventory were used as data collection instruments in the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS 27 program. Pearson Correlation Test and Process Macro 4.2 analysis methods were used. According to the research findings, a negative relationship was found between object relations and relationship satisfaction, marital adjustment, and sexual satisfaction. A positive relationship was identified between object relations and borderline and narcissistic personality traits. Furthermore, negative relationships were found between borderline and narcissistic personality traits and marital adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction. Finally, the mediation analyses conducted within the framework of the main purpose of the research, determined that object relations significantly predicted relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and marital adjustment, borderline and narcissistic personality traits partially mediated this relationship. Thus, the proposed model was supported.