Effectiveness of Integrative Marriage and Couples Therapy on Marital Satisfaction among Iranian Married Students attending the Tehran University

This study examined the effectiveness of Integrative Marriage and Couples Therapy on the marital satisfaction of Iranian married students attending the University of Tehran in Iran. The quasi-experimental research work was based on qualitative and quantitative, mixed methods. The participants in the study included ۴۰ couples (n=۸۰). They were selected by applying a simple random sampling method, and they were randomly divided into two groups, a control group, and an experimental group. The data collection was conducted by applying Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMSS, ۱۹۹۸), clinical semi-structured interviews, and demographic questionnaires. The results indicated the effectiveness of Integrative Marriage and Couples Therapy in the enhancement of marital satisfaction in Iranian married students who participated in the experimental groups. No increment in marital satisfaction was noticed in the control groups. Considering the importance of the issue, a deeper assessment of the effectiveness of the couple therapy with the integrative approach in the enhancement of marital satisfaction in Iranian married students, and a qualitative analysis applying the Mayring methodology was additionally performed. the result was shown that the attitude and behavior of the participants in the experimental groups really and deeply changed after Integrative Marriage and Couples Therapy.

Keywords:

married students , marital satisfaction , Integrative marriage , Couples Therapy , mixed-method , clinical semi-structured interview