Marriage remains a fundamental institution sustaining social stability, yet its success largely depends on the

quality of emotional exchanges between spouses. This study examines the effects of emotional orientation and

emotional disconnectedness on marital bonding within a South Asian context. A cross-sectional survey was

conducted among 700 married respondents in Muzaffarabad using structured Likert-scale questionnaires. The

measures assessed emotional orientation, emotional disconnectedness, disagreement, emotional well-being,

and marital bonding, each operationalized as the mean of multiple indicators. Data was analyzed using chi-

square tests, Pearson’s correlations, and multiple regression in SPSS. Results revealed significant associations

among the variables. Emotional orientation was positively correlated with marital bonding (r = .10, p < .01),

contributes to existing literature by offering empirical evidence from Pakistan, where marital expectations are

shaped by collectivist norms and socio-cultural obligations. Practical implications highlight the need for

marital counseling interventions that reduce emotional withdrawal while promoting positive emotional

orientation to strengthen spousal bonds.

Bonding, South Asia

Marriage remains one of the most enduring social institutions, forming the foundation of family life, emotional

support, companionship, and social regulation. Yet, its stability and quality depend largely on the emotional

processes within spousal interactions. Contemporary scholarship highlights emotional orientation, the capacity

Snyder, 2022). Longitudinal studies further confirm that emotional attunement sustains marital quality across

time (Rosen et al., 2025), while disengagement accelerates breakdown (Meier et al., 2024).

In collectivist societies such as those in South Asia, cultural expectations add complexity. Marriages are often

embedded in networks of kinship, religious duties, and social obligations that prioritize family cohesion over

individual fulfillment. Pakistani spouses, for instance, report valuing family responsibility and religious

commitment more highly than Western couples (Ayub et al., 2023). Yet, expressions of affection and intimacy

still remain strong predictors of satisfaction. This duality reflects that while collectivist norms define marital

roles, emotional connection remains universally vital. Our findings support this view: emotional orientation

enhances bonding, but its positive effect is often overshadowed by the stronger negative impact of withdrawal.

In cultures that emphasize togetherness, disengagement signals disloyalty and can be especially distressing – a

obligations, may heighten disconnectedness (Akram & Khan, 2020). Moreover, emotion regulation strategies,

particularly cognitive reappraisal, enhance marital quality even within traditional settings (Bloch et al., 2014).

Recent scholarship identifies new challenges to marital emotional health. Digital media exposure, work–family

conflict and shifting gender roles increasingly strain relationships (Wang & Zhao, 2023; Lu et al., 2025).

Excessive online engagement diminishes face-to-face communication, fostering emotional distance (Choudary

et al., 2024). Economic pressures and dual-earner responsibilities exacerbate these strains, particularly for

women managing both employment and domestic duties (Rahman et al., 2023).

This study contributes to the literature by examining how emotional orientation and emotional

disconnectedness affect marital bonding in Pakistan. Drawing on survey data from 700 married respondents in

Muzaffarabad, it provides quantitative evidence from a collectivist cultural context where cohesion and

intimacy coexist as marital ideals. Using chi-square, correlation, and regression analyses, the study identifies

in orientation demonstrate greater intimacy and better conflict resolution (Meier et al., 2024). In Western

samples, orientation predicts long-term stability (Fincham & Beach, 2010). In contrast, emotional

disconnectedness involves withdrawal, avoidance of dialogue, and lack of empathy. It undermines trust,

increases isolation, and erodes marital cohesion. Gottman & Silver (1999) identified withdrawal as one of the

“Four Horsemen” predicting divorce. Longitudinal studies confirm that disengagement steadily reduces marital

quality (Jolin et al., 2022). Observational research similarly finds that avoidance during conflict predicts

dissatisfaction (Rosen et al., 2025). In Pakistan, frequent disagreements, negative communication cycles, and

economic constraints amplify emotional distance, with demand–withdraw patterns intensifying distress

(Caughlin & Huston, 2002). Negative exchanges correlate strongly with lower satisfaction (Lu et al., 2025),

revealing the destructive potential of unresolved conflict.

Across contexts, recent research reinforces that emotional availability predicts higher marital quality, while

withdrawal undermines intimacy. Lebow & Snyder (2022) emphasizes responsiveness and engagement as core

elements of couple therapy, aligning with evidence that demand–withdraw cycles erode satisfaction over time

(Caughlin & Huston, 2002). In Pakistan and similar societies, culturally embedded stressors—work–family

imbalance, financial pressure, and shifting gender expectations – interact with these emotional patterns. Dual-

career couples often report greater conflict and reduced satisfaction (Rahman et al., 2023; Abdullah et al.,

2023).

The digital era introduces additional risks. “Partner phubbing” (ignoring a partner to engage with a phone) and

excessive social media use have been linked to lower marital satisfaction in Pakistan (Arshad & Imran, 2022).

overuse diminishes well-being (Chadha et al., 2025). At the same time, research advances in psychometrics

have enabled more refined analysis of conflict and bonding. The Romantic Partner Conflict Scale (RPCS) has

been translated and validated for Pakistani couples, facilitating local assessment of communication styles

Pakistan. A total of 700 respondents participated in the survey. Participation was voluntary, with informed

consent obtained prior to data collection and confidentiality strictly maintained. No financial incentives were

offered, and participants retained the right to withdraw at any stage. Stratified random sampling was used to

ensure balanced representation across gender, age groups, and socio-economic strata. Respondents were

recruited from both urban and semi-urban areas, capturing the cultural and demographic diversity of the

region. All questionnaire items were measured using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = Strongly Disagree

to 5 = Strongly Agree. For each construct, multiple indicators were aggregated by computing their mean

scores, a widely accepted method for generating reliable composite variables in social science research.

The constructs were operationalized as follows:

Reliability analysis indicated that all measurement scales demonstrated good internal consistency, with

questionnaires were administered both in person and online. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data

collection, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Respondents were assured of

confidentiality and informed that participation was voluntary and could be withdrawn at any time.

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The analysis involved computation of descriptive statistics,

followed by chi-square tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression to test the

Chi-square analyses revealed a significant association between marital bonding and emotional

disconnectedness, χ²(50, N = 700) = 3109.23, p < .001 (Table 1). This finding confirms that bonding and

disconnectedness are not independent constructs, suggesting that variations in emotional withdrawal

correspond closely with differences in bonding quality.

Table 1. Chi-Square Test of Association between Marital Bonding and Emotional Disconnectedness

Pearson’s correlation coefficients demonstrated significant relationships among the key variables (Table 2):

These results indicate that while emotional orientation is positively associated with bonding, both emotional

A multiple linear regression was conducted with marital bonding as the dependent variable (Table 3). The

The findings provide compelling evidence for the central role of emotional processes in shaping marital

(Shujja & Adil, 2024). The results confirm that, despite socio-cultural pressures, emotional factors continue to

play a decisive role in maintaining marital stability. The study adds originality by quantifying these effects in

South Asia, where empirical evidence has been limited.

reduction of emotional withdrawal and disconnectedness. Therapeutic frameworks such as Emotionally

contrast, insecure attachment tends to produce withdrawal and emotional unavailability, gradually eroding

relationship quality (Simpson & Rholes, 2017). Observational studies further show that small, everyday

gestures—such as turning toward a partner’s emotional bids for attention—accumulate to build trust and

satisfaction, whereas repeatedly ignoring these bids weakens intimacy and stability (Gottman & Schwartz-

Gottman, 2024).

reduces distress and improves satisfaction (Rathgeber et al., 2019). Reviews of contemporary couple

interventions likewise stress that therapeutic success often depends on repairing emotional ruptures and

rebuilding responsiveness between partners (Lebow & Snyder, 2022). These patterns highlight that addressing

emotional disengagement is not peripheral but essential to successful relational intervention. Beyond empirical

culturally grounded counseling practices. By integrating cultural awareness with emotional education,

practitioners can help couples balance social obligations with genuine emotional connection.