Improved couple satisfaction and communication with marriage and relationship programs: are there gender differences?—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background The aspects of marriage and relationship and their effect on couples’ satisfaction are essential and critical aspects to be explored in this globalized and contemporary world. Since there are no reported meta-analysis and systematic reviews conducted in the last two decades in this area, we aimed to investigate the effect of marriage and relationship programs (MRP) on couples’ relationship satisfaction (CRS) and couples’ relationship communication (CRC) and also to determine the gender differences if any. Method In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and July 26, 2019, were retrieved from several online electronic databases such as Medline, Embase, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The reported summary statistics were calculated as random effects models based on the heterogeneity between the studies model. Funnel plots and the Egger regression test was used to confirm the presence of any publication bias. Results Of the total 12 intervention studies included, five (5) are education/communication skills programs, three (3) enrichment programs, and four (4) therapy programs. The impact of these programs was investigated on CRS and CRC. Therapy programs had a larger effect than other programs (pooled MD: 0.53 (95% CI = 0.35 to 0.71, I2 = 71.5% p = 0.0001) and had a larger effect size on wives (pooled MD: 0.53 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.80, I2 = 74.1% p = 0.0001) than husbands RS (pooled MD: 0.26 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.76, I2 = 72.4% p = 0.0001). In RC (relationship communication) area, the Enhancement programs showed the small to large effect on CRC (pooled MD: 1.31 (95% CI = 0.13 to 2.50, I2 = 94.7% p = 0.0001)) and educational programs showed small to medium effect (pooled MD: 0.32 (95% CI = 0.13 to 0.50, I2 = 74.5% p = 0.0001) on women and no effect on men. Conclusion Due to the high effect of the therapy programs on CRS and enhancement program on CRC in the current meta-analysis, the priority of their utilizations in interventions, especially by psychologists and mental health professionals, should be emphasized. Therefore, mental health planning in communities to develop MRP and care for couples’ health should be given special attention to men’s health. Due to the high heterogeneity of the results and with scanty literature in this specific domain, we are uncertain about their actual effect. However, well-designed RCTs with a larger sample size would be beneficial in closely examining the effect of MRPs on CRS and CRC.

Couple therapy with parents: Results from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial testing the Integrative Brief Systemic Intervention (IBSI)

“…Furthermore, the analyses revealed an interaction effect between time and gender, indicating that the levels of symptomatology and depression among women, but not men, had significantly reduced, and their parenting satisfaction had improved after therapy, with stability of these results at 6‐month follow‐up. This result is consistent with previous findings that suggest marriage and relationship programs lead to better outcomes in women compared to men (Javadivala et al, 2021). Previous findings also show that women are more likely to seek couple therapy than men and that they tend to report a greater number and severity of problems at the outset of therapy than men (R. B. Miller et al, 2003).…”

Communication patterns and marital satisfaction: A review of English language discourse in family counseling

“…Research has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of family counseling in improving communication patterns and marital satisfaction (Javadivala et al, 2021;Oladipo et al, 2024). Meta-analytic studies have found that couples who participate in counseling experience significant improvements in relationship functioning, including increased satisfaction, reduced conflict, and enhanced communication skills.…”

Positive sexuality, relationship satisfaction, and health: a network analysis

“…For example, interventions targeting sexual well-being in couples have been shown to improve not only aspects of positive sexuality such as fun, pleasure and comfort during sexual intercourse, but also emotional closeness and communication within the couple and relationship satisfaction ( Rosier and Tyler, 2017 ; De Santis et al, 2019 ). Similarly, couple-based programs addressing issues related to emotional closeness and communication barriers can result in significant improvements in sexual intimacy and satisfaction ( Wiebe et al, 2018 ; Morgis et al, 2019 ; Javadivala et al, 2021 ).…”