Physical activity and marital satisfaction among teachers: a mediation model of self-esteem, spirituality, and psychological distress.

Résumé

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Marital satisfaction is influenced by various intrapersonal and environmental factors. The present study explores the associations between physical activity and marital satisfaction in a sample of Tunisian married teachers, examining the mediating roles of body esteem, sexual self-esteem, and psychological distress, with spirituality acting as a psychosocial resource.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 924 married teachers (52% women) from six Tunisian regions. Participants completed the Arabic versions of the Ironson-Woods Spirituality/Religiousness Index (IWSRI), Body Esteem Scale (BES), Sexual Self-Esteem Scale (SSES), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS-4). The hypothesized pathways were examined using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).RESULTS: The Arabic IWSRI demonstrated strong psychometric properties ( = 0.961) with a confirmed four-factor structure. SEM revealed a significant positive association between physical activity and marital satisfaction ( = 0.34,