Effect of behavioral-communication couple therapy in dimensions of marital adjustment in infertile couples

Abstract

There are different therapy approaches used by family therapy researchers over the years to evaluate their reliability and effect in couples. Bernstein's approach of behavioral-communication is one of these approaches. Accordingly, the current research aimed to survey the effectiveness of behavioral-communication couple therapy in improving dimensions of marital adjustment among infertile couples. This quasi-experimental research was designed as pretest-posttest and employed control group. 40 couples referring to the Gynecology centers was selected through convenience sampling method and assigned into two groups of experimental and control. At the beginning of the study, pretest was performed on both groups and then, an intervention (based on Berneshtain behavioral-communication couple therapy) was conducted during 10 sessions of 90 minutes (one session per week). After completion of the treatment program, the posttest was performed. Also, the follow-up stage was performed on both groups 2.5 months later to evaluate the stability of therapeutic intervention. The tool used in this research was Spinner adjustment questionnaire. The results showed that after behavioral communication training, a significant difference was observed in the dimensions of marital adjustment among infertile couples between the experimental and control groups. The results showed that couple therapy with behavioral communication method is effective in increasing adjustment and its dimensions. In fact, this study showed that behavioral-communication couple therapy increased agreement among infertile couples by improving communication skills and reducing conflicts.

Effects of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy on Infertility Self-efficacy, Dyadic Adjustment, and Sexual Satisfaction in Infertile Couples

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