Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

The present study aims to predict marital conflict

based on early maladaptive schemas and to examine the mediating role of interpersonal emotion regulation and mentalization among Afghan couples. Identifying the factors influencing marital conflict can contribute to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions. This study is a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling. The study population consists of Afghan couples living in Jebrail District, Herat, Afghanistan, who will be selected through convenience sampling. Data will be collected using standardized questionnaires measuring early maladaptive schemas, marital conflict, interpersonal emotion regulation, and mentalization, and will be analyzed using appropriate statistical software. It is expected that early maladaptive schemas will have a significant effect on marital conflict and that interpersonal emotion regulation and mentalization will mediate this relationship. The findings of this study may help identify the psychological factors associated with marital conflict and provide a basis for developing effective educational and therapeutic interventions to promote mental health, improve marital relationships, and reduce marital conflict among Afghan couples.