The effectiveness of couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system on marital conflicts, couple intimacy and family functions in couples referring to counseling centers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Sara Baghere ¹
• Reza Pasha ²
• Zahra Eftekhar ³
• Fariba Hafezi ³
• Farah Nadri ⁴

¹ Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

³ Assistant Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

⁴ Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

10.30495/jpmm.2022.26752.3265

Abstract

Target: The aim of this study was the effectiveness of couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system on marital conflicts, couple intimacy and family functions in couples referring to counseling centers in Mahshahr. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest and posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all couples who referred to counseling centers in Mahshahr in 2019-20 due to marital problems. From the statistical population, 60 couples were selected by available sampling method, and then this number was paired by random sampling method in two experimental groups (40 pairs) and one control group (20). For a group therapy group based on integrated behavioral system, 10 sessions of 90 minutes were performed weekly. In order to collect research data, Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), Marital Intimacy (MQI) and Family Functioning Questionnaire (FAD) were used. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results: The results of the analysis of research findings showed that couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system has been effective in reducing marital conflicts, improving couple intimacy and family functions (P <0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be said that couple therapy based on integrated behavioral system is one of the effective treatments in reducing marital conflicts, improving couples intimacy and family functions of couples referring to counseling center.

Keywords

• Integrated Behavior Therapy
• Marital Conflict
• Couples Intimacy
• Family Functions
• Couples

20.1001.1.22285516.1401.13.47.1.1

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