Choosing with mind or heart: dyadic pathways from decision-making styles to spiritual fortitude and intrinsic spirituality among parents
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY, vol.45, no.16, pp.1-15, 2026 (Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 45 Issue: 16
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s12144-026-09911-y
- Journal Name: CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO), IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Psycinfo
- Page Numbers: pp.1-15
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Yıldız Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Parenthood represents one of the most critical roles in adulthood, shaping family functioning, relational dynamics, and the psychosocial well-being of both parents and children. Grounded in the Family Systems Approach, this study examined the dyadic associations between parents’ decision-making styles, spiritual fortitude, and intrinsic spirituality in a collectivist cultural context. Participants were 478 Turkish heterosexual parenting couples (N = 956). The Actor–partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) was employed to test actor and partner effects as well as the mediating role of spiritual fortitude. Results indicated that intuitive decision-making was significantly related to both parents’ spiritual fortitude and intrinsic spirituality at the actor and partner levels, whereas rational decision-making was significantly associated only at the actor level. In both models, statistically reliable indirect associations involving spiritual fortitude were observed between decision-making styles and intrinsic spirituality within the proposed theoretical model. These findings suggest that, among Turkish heterosexual parenting couples, parents’ decision-making patterns and spiritual processes are not only individual but also interactive and interdependent, consistent with the principles of mutual interdependence described in Family Systems Theory. The study extends the Family Systems Approach by underscoring the role of dyadic spiritual resources in parental relationships and provides implications for family and couple counseling practices.
Parenthood represents one of the most critical roles in adulthood, shaping family functioning, relational dynamics, and the psychosocial well-being of both parents and children. Grounded in the Family Systems Approach, this study examined the dyadic associations between parents’ decision-making styles, spiritual fortitude, and intrinsic spirituality in a collectivist cultural context. Participants were 478 Turkish heterosexual parenting couples (N = 956). The Actor–partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) was employed to test actor and partner effects as well as the mediating role of spiritual fortitude. Results indicated that intuitive decision-making was significantly related to both parents’ spiritual fortitude and intrinsic spirituality at the actor and partner levels, whereas rational decision-making was significantly associated only at the actor level. In both models, statistically reliable indirect associations involving spiritual fortitude were observed between decision-making styles and intrinsic spirituality within the proposed theoretical model. These findings suggest that, among Turkish heterosexual parenting couples, parents’ decision-making patterns and spiritual processes are not only individual but also interactive and interdependent, consistent with the principles of mutual interdependence described in Family Systems Theory. The study extends the Family Systems Approach by underscoring the role of dyadic spiritual resources in parental relationships and provides implications for family and couple counseling practices.