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South Journal of Educational Psychology and Counseling
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Effectiveness of couples’ lives enriching instruction based on Olson model and its effect on women’s marital satisfaction, who refer to consultation
centers in Isfahan
Parisa Sabzevari1*, Mohammad Hassan Gramie2
1. M. A. Counseling and Guidance. Islamic Azad University Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran 2. Lecturer Counseling and Guidance. Islamic Azad University Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran
*Corresponding author:[email protected]
To cite this paper: Sabzevari, P. & Gramie, M.H. (2017). Effectiveness of couples’ lives enriching instruction
based on Olson model and its effect on women’s marital satisfaction, who refer to consultation centers in Isfahan.
South journal of Educational Psychology and Counseling, 4, 1, 26-33.
Abstract
This study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness of couples’ lives enriching instruction based on Olson model and its effect on women’s marital satisfaction, which refer to consultation centers in Isfahan. Research method was quasi-experimental and pretest-posttest control group. Sample members of this study were 32 people, who were selected using available sampling method and examined with random placement in two groups, marital relationship enhancement (n=16) and control group (n=16). The investigated
independent variable in this study was couples’ lives enhancement instruction (7 sessions),
which was instructed to group members in experimental group and there was no intervention in control group. In this study, the questionnaire used by researcher was marital satisfaction questionnaire. The main hypothesis of the study is that couples’ lives enhancement instruction has positive and significant effect on women marital satisfaction, who refer to consultation centers in Isfahan. The statistical method used in this study to investigate variables was covariance analysis method. The results showed that couples’ lives enhancement instruction has a positive and significant effect on women’s marital satisfaction, who refer to consultation centers in Isfahan (0.001p≤), in other words, the main
hypothesis of this study is confirmed. Based on obtained results, couples’ lives
enhancement instruction can be used to increase marital satisfaction of this population.
Introduction
Family is the most important and highest social institution in human history, which has established the field of emotional and social development, growth and prosperity of its members, and marriage is the most sensitive emotional commitment, which is accepted by human to enjoy psychological comfort and having warm relationships. The results of this study indicate that family issues and problems in our country is increasing day to day and marital satisfaction has been decreased. Increased divorce
and family conflicts not only threats families’ basis, but also it is a serious threat to
society and social systems. healthy generation education, which affects future of society is not possible in as environment, where there is low security and peace. In our country, the couples experience severe and pervasive problems during relationship. In fact, the problem of marital distress more than any other category leads to referral in order to receive consultation services and psychological health [1]. There problems indicate lack of satisfaction in marital relationships and weakness marital skills.
Most of the marital problems continue in hidden within the family and threat the family existence. In such families, the couples do not enjoy satisfaction and due to divorce evil in social and religions terms force themselves to live in dissatisfaction conditions, therefore sadness and helplessness prevail on their life gradually. In some families hidden divorce or emotional divorce occurs. Implications of such lives is psycho-physiological problems, emotional disorders, anxiety disorders and leads to social damages such as addiction, and crime [2]. Difficulty in marital relationship and marital dissatisfaction and distress caused by pressures of marital life, put the couples at risk of such damages and creates an unsafe environment, where there are no
necessary fields for children’s growth [3]. Healthy relationship is people capabilities
to explain and express their needs and desires and also the ability to respect others and invite them to clarify the issues and situations. Appropriate attention and direct and explicit verbal exchanges between members of a family, indicates healthy relationships in the family and unhealthy and dysfunctional relationships decreases attention among family members and leads to lack of common concepts and indirect and vague verbal exchanges. Relationship has an essential role in marriage. One of the characteristics of a healthy family is effective communicational patterns in the family. Researches has also shown that communicational problems lead to family conflicts, while good communication helps emotional relationship establishment and intimacy between family members. In addition, communication problems are related to increased risk of divorce and behavioral problems in children (1995). Lee Masters defines satisfaction as the capacity to adapt and problem solving abilities [4]. Satisfaction is a state, which comes with reaching a purpose [5]. Marital satisfaction, feeling of pleasure, satisfaction and experienced pleasure occurs when all aspects of marital life are considered by couple. This structure is an attitude variable and is considered as one of the personal characteristics of couple. Accordingly, marital satisfaction is in fact a positive and pleasant attitude, which is experienced by couples in different aspects of life [6]. One of the effective strategies to increase life
satisfaction is couples’ lives enhancement instruction and life skill. Life enhancement
and life skills is a set of psychosocial and interpersonal skills, which helps people to make their decisions with awareness, communicate effectively, expand their coping and personal management skills and have a healthy and fertile life [7].
and pleasure. Marriage enhancement is an educational approach to improve couples’ relationship and it is aimed to help the couples to know themselves and their spouse, explore the feelings and thoughts of their spouse, develop empathy, intimacy, effective relationship and problem-solving skills [8]. Enhancement can be done in different ways and styles, each of which will have different effects. In this study, an enhancement is used, which is based on Olson approach (preparation / enrichment). Minnesota university (1996). In this study, different areas of marital relationship, including marriage expectation, personality traits, communication, conflict resolution, financial management, enjoyable and interesting activities, friendly social behavior, sex, parental roles family and friends, relations based on the roles and spiritual beliefs will be evaluated and it is designed for people, who are married and demand enrichment or consultation programs [9]. Olson program seeks to improve relations between couples and determine the factors and conditions, upon which we can predict marital satisfaction and adjustment after marriage. Predictive areas of life quality include how to communicate, ability to solve the conflicts, status of individual family, financial management in personal life, objectives and philosophy of marriage [10]. The research issue is that which approach is more effective in satisfaction factors and marital conflict compared to another approach. Given that this approach is more consistent with Iranian culture and the skills in this approach can be learned and implemented by Iranian couples, this study addresses effectiveness of this approach, in addition based on conducted studies in and outside the country, his approach has been successful in reaching the objectives [11]. Given the universality of this approach, this study examines the effects of marriage enrichment treatment in preparation method (Olson method) on marital satisfaction in Isfahan and specifies the impact of each approach.
Research Method
This study is experimental, in terms of purpose is functional and in terms of method is quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest control group. Diagram of the study is
In this study independent variables includes marital relationships enhancement skill instruction. Dependent variables include marital satisfaction. Experimental group respond to the question in two stages of pretest T1 and post test T2.
Sampling method and statistical population
and writing literacy. In the case of more than two absences, divorce and lack of reading and writing literacy, samples would be exited from study.
Research Tools
Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire:
The questionnaire is a tool with 115 question and is made by Olson, Fournier and Drakman (1989) and is used to assess potential problem areas or strengths of marital relationship. Maximum score in this questionnaire is 460 and minimum score is 0. This questionnaire consists of 12 subscales , the subscales include : Ideal distortion (Questions 1-5), marital satisfaction (questions 1-15) , personal issues (questions 16-25) , communication (questions26-35) , conflict resolution (Questions 36-45), financial management (Questions 46 -55), leisure activities (questions 56-65), sexual relationship (questions 66 and 75), parenting (questions 76-85), family and friends (questions 86-95), egalitarianism (questions 96 -105) and religious orientation (questions 106-115). The questionnaire is scored based on Likert scale from very high (score 4) to very low (score 0). In front of the questions 96 to 105 there are always (score 4) to Never (score 0) options. This questionnaire has the capability to separate satisfied and dissatisfied couples and its correlation is obtained by family satisfaction scale 60.0 and indicates validity of scale and its structure. Reliability of questionnaire and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, except religious orientation are obtained 9.0, 81/0, 73/0, 68/0, 75/0, 74/0, 76/0, 48/0, 77/0, 72/0, 71.0 respectively [16]. In Isanezhad (1387) reliability of questionnaire subscales was obtained 88/0, 83/0, 79/0, 91/0, 84/0, 90/0, 76/0, 84/0, 79/0, 87 / 0 and 87/0 respectively [17]. In Mahdavian’s study, Pearson correlation coefficient in test-retest procedure for men was 93.0, for women was 94.0 and for men and women was obtained 94.0. in this study, these coefficients for subscales are obtained 72/0, vary from 850, 76/0, 76/0, 76/0, 81/0, 63/0, 69/0, 87/0, 69/0, 62/0, 73/0, respectively.
Independent variable implementation method
After selecting the sample and random placement in experimental and control groups, marital satisfaction questionnaire was implemented and then experimental group, enhancement sessions were conducted in groups and after enhancement sessions, satisfaction questionnaire was implemented in experimental and control groups, the number of sessions for Olson approach was 7, which were twice in the week for 90 minutes, and its topics are indicated in following table.
Table 2. Summary of marital enhancement skills sessions with Olson approach
Sessions Session procedure
First session
familiarity of members and introduction
expressing member’s objectives for participating in the group
-expressing objectives of sessions and directing members’ objectives and oral contract
- primary evaluation using Enrich questionnaire - assignment
Second session
- discussion about Enrich results
exploring strengths and growth requirements
-using exercises and skills for members to learn to discover their strengths and growth requirements in marital life.
Third session
talking about last session assignment
talking about useful self-expression and listening skills
techniques and skills of useful expression and listening-talking about daily conversations
talking about conflict and its role in marital relationships
conflict management method modeling by participation of members in the session assignment
Fifth session
-talking about last session assignment and asking members regarding conflict resolution assignment in previous session
-s effect on current life talking about family’
-family role and introduction of intimacy and flexibility aspects -modeling and instruction of balance in separation
-assignment
Sixth session
-talking about last session assignment - talking about financial issues in the family
-talking in the group regarding role of money in the family
-determination of long term financial objectives and short term financial objectives
-assignment
Seventh session
Talking about last session assignment
talking in the group regarding objective in marital life -modeling base on model (CHANGE(
-Enrich test as post test
- Termination and determination of follow-up session
Results
After implementing pretest and posttest, differences in pretest and posttest scores of each group were calculated separately. To evaluate the significance of means difference, covariance analysis test was used. In this analysis, the effect of pre-test was taken from post-test scores and then two groups were compared according to remaining scores. Results of table along with Levine test are provided in tables 3, 4 and 5.
Table 3. Results of Levine test for examination of variances homogeneity
Variable Fstatistics Freedom degree1 Freedom degree2 Significance level
Marital satisfaction 0.01 1 30 0.91
Levine test results indicate that the assumptions of covariance analysis are observed in marital satisfaction questionnaire of covariance analysis test.
Table 4. Mean and standard deviation of marital satisfaction in women, Isfahan
Variable Test Experimental group Control group
number M SD number M SD
Marital satisfaction Pretest 16 228.38 23.85 16 232.38 18.47
Table 4 indicated the mean and standard deviation of marital satisfaction on pretest and posttest of control and experimental groups. According to this table, the mean of marital satisfaction scores in experimental group in pretest in 228.38 and in posttest is 242.69. the results of table 4 indicate that the mean of scores of experimental and control groups in marital satisfaction in pretest was low, while in posttest variations of means in pretest and posttest in control and experimental groups are high. It shows the effectiveness of independent variable (enhancement) on marital satisfaction, while in control group mean change is not significant.
Table 5. The results of covariance analysis for couples’ lives enhancement instruction impact based on
Olson approach on marital satisfaction
Change sources SS df MS F sig impact Power
Pretest 5828.81 1 5828.81 35.06 0.001 0.54 1
Group 2270.59 1 2270.59 13.66 0.001 0.32 0.94
Error 4820.37 29 166.22
Model 1787487 32
Comparison of independent variable and different levels of dependent variables indicates that independent variable has a significant effect on marital satisfaction variable (0.001p≤). the impact on marital satisfaction is 94 percent. In other word, there is a significant difference between experimental and control group in terms of mentioned variable. Given that in marital satisfaction scale, high scores indicate independency and intimacy, happier life and healthier people, and low scores indicate lower independency and intimacy, unhappier life and low health, the information in the table indicate the effectiveness of independent variable (marital relationships enhancement interventions based on Olson model) on marital satisfaction increase. Discussion and Conclusion
This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of couple’s lives enhancement
instruction based on Olson model and its effect on women who refer to consultation centers in Isfahan. Obtained results indicate the effectiveness of marital relationship enhancement instruction on marital satisfaction. In other word, it was specified that independent variable (marital relationship enrichment instruction) has a significant
effect on marital satisfaction (0.001p≤). To explain these findings, it can be concluded
pleasant attitude, which is experienced by couples in different aspects of life [14]. One of the effective strategies to increase life satisfaction is couples’ lives enhancement instruction and life skill. Life enhancement and life skills is a set of psychosocial and interpersonal skills, which helps people to make their decisions with awareness, communicate effectively, expand their coping and personal management skills and have a healthy and fertile life. In line with current research following studies can be mentioned.
Brouks et al (2002) implemented group couple therapy as relationships enhancement on 22 couples and obtained results indicated that the period increased marital satisfaction, intimacy, commitment, trust and marital adjustment. The results of Kingam study (2003) indicated that participants in one of the enhancement programs compared to before instruction has a significant increase in marital satisfaction. The results of Shalounberger (2001) in the field of relationship enhancement effectiveness on marital satisfaction on 28 couples indicated that this method increases marital satisfaction, and agreement in marital issues, such evidence indicate that relationship enhancement shows an appropriate validity in longterm. Carson et al (2004) in a study aimed to determine the efficacy of relationship enhancement on marital relations concluded that relationship enhancement increases marital satisfaction, independence, intimacy and acceptance among couples. In addition, follow-up results after three
months’ intervention showed that intervention has retained its efficiency, which is in
line with this study. In addition, in line with this study, some studies including Shahsiah (1387), Isanezhad , Shamaie , Batlani et al (1387) , Shafiabadi and Sodani (1387) , Edalatishater (1388) , Choubfroshzadeh , Kalantari & Molavi (1389) , Abbasi , Jalilpoor , Kamkar, Bagherizadeh & Mohamen (1390) , Stanley, Amato, Johnson & Markman (2006), Sanford (2006), Klkanarsanly (2008) and Yilmaz and Calc (2010) can be mentioned. In explanantion of obtained result it can be said that according to the fact that enhancement variable of marital relationships in terms of its effects on discovery of strengths and growth requirements in marital life , useful listening and expressing techniques and skills , talking about conflict and its role in marital relationships , family role and introduction of intimacy and flexibility dimensions , talking about financial issues in the family , group talking about objective in marital life affect couples’ behavior ,which leads to improved marital satisfaction.
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