Effectiveness of Paradoxical Couple Therapy on Marital Disaffection and Satisfaction Among Couples
Authors
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Fariba Rahmani
Department of Counseling, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7408-9506
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Fateme Alijani
Department of Counseling, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7408-9506
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Vahideh Babakhani
Department of Counseling, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9071-0871
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Jafar Poyamanesh
Department of Psychology, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7616-3442
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22100/ijhs.v12i3.1295Keywords:
Paradoxical couple therapy, Marital disaffection, Marital satisfaction, CouplesAbstract
Background: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of paradoxical couple therapy (PCT) on marital disaffection and satisfaction.
Methods: The research employed a pre-test, post-test, control group design with a one-month follow-up. The population consisted of all couples referred to the Narvan Counseling Center in Tehran in 2024. Fourteen couples were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (7 couples each). Data were collected using Kayser’s (1993) Marital Disaffection Questionnaire and Tatan et al.’s (1973) Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire.
Results: Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, conducted using SPSS, revealed that PCT significantly reduced marital disaffection and increased satisfaction (P-value<0.05), with effects sustained at follow-up. Based on these findings, it is recommended that counselors and family psychologists utilize PCT to reduce marital disaffection and enhance satisfaction.
Conclusions: This approach can be applied in individual and group counseling to strengthen couple relationships, reduce conflicts, and improve emotional regulation, ultimately preventing family dissolution.
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