Self-concept disconfirmation, psychological distress, and marital happiness

Using self-verification and self-discrepancy theories, this research rests a model of subjective and objective self-disconfirmation, self-efficacy, depression, and marital happiness. This research expands the issue of self-validation by evaluating the role of self-efficacy in the relationship between self-disconfirmation and depression, and the effect of self-concept disconfirmation on marital relationships. Data were analyzed from interviews with 155 couples. For husbands, objective self-concept disconfirmation had an estimated effect on marital happiness mediated through self-efficacy and depression. For wives, subjective self-concept disconfirmation had an estimated effect on marital happiness mediated through depression. Perceived and actual disconfirming appraisals from a spouse may affect the self-concept and the relationship in which disconfirmation occurs.