The Effectiveness of Marital Distress Tolerance Training on Marital Adjustment in Conflicting Couples in Tehran
Keywords:
distress tolerance, marital conflict, conflicting couplesAbstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program based on the Marital Distress Tolerance Model on reducing marital conflicts among conflicting couples in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population included all conflicting couples who visited psychological and counseling centers in Tehran. One center was randomly selected, and 30 couples were chosen through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 couples each). The experimental group received a 9-session intervention based on a structured educational package developed from the causal model of marital distress tolerance, focusing on cognitive flexibility, family health, and social problem-solving skills. Data were collected using the Barati and Sanaei Marital Conflict Questionnaire and a researcher-developed content validity instrument evaluated by experts. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the data through SPSS software.
Findings: The results of the MANCOVA indicated that the educational program had a statistically significant effect on all dimensions of marital conflict, including reduced sexual relations (F = 28.438, p < .001), increased emotional reactions (F = 18.448, p < .001), separation of financial matters (F = 29.932, p < .001), reduced cooperation (F = 22.822, p < .001), reduced relationships with spouse’s relatives (F = 18.549, p < .001), increased relationships with one’s own relatives (F = 10.030, p = .005), and increased seeking support from children (F = 65.565, p < .001).
Conclusion: The study confirmed that the educational program based on the marital distress tolerance model significantly reduced marital conflicts across multiple dimensions, supporting the model’s applicability in therapeutic interventions for couples experiencing relational distress.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marjan Madadi (Author); Omid Moradi (Corresponding Author); Latif Moradveisi (Author)
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