Iranian Journal of War and Public Health

Aims: The war damages affect not only the veterans, but also their family performances including family cohesion and adaptability. Therefore, investigating the veterans’ family cohesion and adaptability is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between spirituality and forgiveness and marital cohesion and adaptability.

Instrument & Methods: In the descriptive-correlational study, 105 veterans enrolled by Shahrood and Mayamey Martyrs and Veterans Foundation and their spouses were studied in 2014. The subjects were selected using chain sampling. Data was collected using spiritual experience scale, forgiveness scale, and marital adaptability and cohesion scale. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression.

Findings: Maximum correlation coefficients were between life meaningfulness (r=0.37) and religious social activities (r=0.37) and family cohesion. In addition, maximum correlation coefficient was between religious social activities (r=0.40) and family adaptability (p<0.01). Totally, 27% of family cohesion variance was explained by connection to God (15%), realistic understanding (10%), and control and forgiveness (2%). In addition, 18% of family adaptability were explained by religious and social activities (10%), realistic understanding (4%), and control and forgiveness (4%; p<0.05).

Conclusion: Enhancement of spirituality and forgivness in the veterans and their spouses leads to higher family cohesion and adaptability.