Impact of Cynical Hostility on Couples’ Marital Adjustment and Psychological Wellbeing

Hareera Zeb; Mah Noor

doi:10.54938/ijemd-ss.2026.05.6.873

Authors

Hareera Zeb Institute of Public Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
Mah Noor Women University Swabi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54938/ijemd-ss.2026.05.6.873

Keywords:

Cynical hostility, marital adjustment, psychological wellbeing

Abstract

The present study examined the role of cynical hostility in marital adjustment and psychological wellbeing of married couples. It also investigated the differences in cynical hostility across gender. The sample for the study was comprised of husbands (n=120) and wives (n=120) living in Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Marital Satisfaction Test (Locke & Wallac, 1959), the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale (Cook & Medley, 1954), and the Psychological Wellbeing Scale (Ryff, 1989) were utilized for data collection. Findings of Linear Regression Analyses showed that cynical hostility is a significant predictor of both marital adjustment and psychological wellbeing. Results indicated that a high level of cynical hostility negatively influences the psychological wellbeing and marital adjustment of couples. Further, no significant gender differences were revealed in the level of cynical hostility. The study possesses several implications in social and interpersonal relationships, the family environment, and the health sector.

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