Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 2/2018

01-06-2018 | Original Paper

Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Couples Communication Program for Enhancing Couples’ Communication and Marital Satisfaction Among Distressed Partners

Authors: Joshy Jacob Vazhappilly, Marc Eric S. Reyes

Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy | Issue 2/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of ‘Emotion-Focused Couples’ Communication Program’ for enhancing marital communication and satisfaction among distressed couples. It used a ‘two-group randomized control trial’ with 32 couples who belonged to the urban, middle class society of Maharashtra, India. ‘Primary Communication Inventory’ and ‘Dyadic Adjustment Scale’ were used to measure the level of communication and marital satisfaction. The program lasted five weeks and the results showed significant effects elicited by the program. Two-way ANOVA was used for data analysis and Cohen’s d test measured effect’s extent. This suggested ‘Emotion-Focused Couples’ Communication Program’ to be an effective tool for enhancing communication and marriage quality, thus positing that a healthy communication between the partners ensures greater marital satisfaction in a spousal relationship.
Literature
go back to reference Abbasi, F., & Afsharinia, K. (2015). Relationship between couples communication patterns and marital satisfaction. International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences, 4(3), 369–372. Abbasi, F., & Afsharinia, K. (2015). Relationship between couples communication patterns and marital satisfaction. International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences, 4(3), 369–372.
go back to reference Anna, P. J. (2003). Study of Adjustment among working women in relation to family environment, social support and some psychological factors. Dissertation- Department of Psychology,. Kozhikode, Kerala, India: Calicut University. Anna, P. J. (2003). Study of Adjustment among working women in relation to family environment, social support and some psychological factors. Dissertation- Department of Psychology,. Kozhikode, Kerala, India: Calicut University.
go back to reference Azeez, A. E. P. (2013). Employed women and marital satisfaction: a study among female nurses. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research, 2(11), 17–22. Azeez, A. E. P. (2013). Employed women and marital satisfaction: a study among female nurses. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research, 2(11), 17–22.
go back to reference Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.CrossRefPubMed Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Behling, J. (2007). The role of stress in divorce: A three nation retrospective study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(5), 707–728.CrossRef Behling, J. (2007). The role of stress in divorce: A three nation retrospective study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(5), 707–728.CrossRef
go back to reference Birchler, G. R., & Fals-Stewart, W. (2006). Marital dysfunction. Clinician’s handbook of Adult B behavioral Assessment, Houston: Gulf Professional Publishing, pp. 297–323.CrossRef Birchler, G. R., & Fals-Stewart, W. (2006). Marital dysfunction. Clinician’s handbook of Adult B behavioral Assessment, Houston: Gulf Professional Publishing, pp. 297–323.CrossRef
go back to reference Bodenmann, G., Bradbury, T. N., & Pihet, S. (2009). Relative contributions of treatment-related changes in communication skills and dyadic coping skills to the longitudinal course of marriage in the framework of marital distress prevention. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50(1), 1–21.CrossRef Bodenmann, G., Bradbury, T. N., & Pihet, S. (2009). Relative contributions of treatment-related changes in communication skills and dyadic coping skills to the longitudinal course of marriage in the framework of marital distress prevention. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 50(1), 1–21.CrossRef
go back to reference Bodenmann, G., Charvoz, L., Bradbury, T. N., & Bertoni, A., Iafrate, R., & Giuliani, C., Bowlby, J. (1973) Separation: Anxiety and anger. London: Penguin. Bodenmann, G., Charvoz, L., Bradbury, T. N., & Bertoni, A., Iafrate, R., & Giuliani, C., Bowlby, J. (1973) Separation: Anxiety and anger. London: Penguin.
go back to reference Crane, D. R., Middleton, K. C., & Bean, R. A. (2000). Establishing criterion scores for Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale and the revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The Americal Journal of Family Therapy, 28(1), 53–60.CrossRef Crane, D. R., Middleton, K. C., & Bean, R. A. (2000). Establishing criterion scores for Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale and the revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The Americal Journal of Family Therapy, 28(1), 53–60.CrossRef
go back to reference Dalgleish, T. L., Johnson, S. M., Moser, M. B., Lafontaine, M. F., & Wiebe, S. A. (2015). Predicting change in marital satisfaction throughout emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41(3), 276–291.CrossRefPubMed Dalgleish, T. L., Johnson, S. M., Moser, M. B., Lafontaine, M. F., & Wiebe, S. A. (2015). Predicting change in marital satisfaction throughout emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41(3), 276–291.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Emmer-Sommer, T. M. (2004). The effect of communication quality and quality indicators on intimacy and relational satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 21 – 3, 399–411.CrossRef Emmer-Sommer, T. M. (2004). The effect of communication quality and quality indicators on intimacy and relational satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 21 – 3, 399–411.CrossRef
go back to reference Faye, A. K., Kalra, G., Subramanyam, A., Shah, H., Kamath, R., & Pakhare, A. (2013). Study of marital adjustment,mechanisms of coping and psychopathology in couples seeking divorce in India. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 28(3), 259–271.CrossRef Faye, A. K., Kalra, G., Subramanyam, A., Shah, H., Kamath, R., & Pakhare, A. (2013). Study of marital adjustment,mechanisms of coping and psychopathology in couples seeking divorce in India. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 28(3), 259–271.CrossRef
go back to reference Finchem, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2010). Of memes and marriage: Toward a positive relationship science. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 2(1), 4–24.CrossRef Finchem, F. D., & Beach, S. R. H. (2010). Of memes and marriage: Toward a positive relationship science. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 2(1), 4–24.CrossRef
go back to reference Goldfarb, M. R., Trudel, G., Boyer, R., & Preville, M. (2007). Marital relationship and psychological distress: Itscorrelates and treatments. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 22(1), 109–126.CrossRef Goldfarb, M. R., Trudel, G., Boyer, R., & Preville, M. (2007). Marital relationship and psychological distress: Itscorrelates and treatments. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 22(1), 109–126.CrossRef
go back to reference Gottman, J. M., Carrere, S., Swanson, C., & Coan, J. (2000). Reply to “From basic research to intervention”. Journal of marriage and the family, 62(1), 265–273.CrossRef Gottman, J. M., Carrere, S., Swanson, C., & Coan, J. (2000). Reply to “From basic research to intervention”. Journal of marriage and the family, 62(1), 265–273.CrossRef
go back to reference Johnson, M. S. (2004). The practiceofemotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd edn.). New York: Brunner-Routledge. Johnson, M. S. (2004). The practiceofemotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd edn.). New York: Brunner-Routledge.
go back to reference Najafi, M., Soleimani, A. A., Ahmadi, K., Javidi, N., & Kamkar, E. H. (2015). The effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy on enhancing marital adjustment and quality of life among infertile couples with marital conflicts. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility, 9(2), 238–246.PubMedPubMedCentral Najafi, M., Soleimani, A. A., Ahmadi, K., Javidi, N., & Kamkar, E. H. (2015). The effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy on enhancing marital adjustment and quality of life among infertile couples with marital conflicts. International Journal of Fertility and Sterility, 9(2), 238–246.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Pihet, S., Bodenmann, G., Cina, A., Widmer, W., & Shantinath, S. (2007). Can prevention of marital distress improve well-being? A 1 year longitudinal study. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 14(2), 79–88.CrossRef Pihet, S., Bodenmann, G., Cina, A., Widmer, W., & Shantinath, S. (2007). Can prevention of marital distress improve well-being? A 1 year longitudinal study. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 14(2), 79–88.CrossRef
go back to reference Raeisipoor, Z., Fallahchai, R., & Zarei, E. (2012). The study of adult attachment styles, communication patterns, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Life Science & Biomedicine, 3(1), 64–68. Raeisipoor, Z., Fallahchai, R., & Zarei, E. (2012). The study of adult attachment styles, communication patterns, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Life Science & Biomedicine, 3(1), 64–68.
go back to reference Ramchiary, A. (2013). Gandhian concept of truth and non-violence. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 18(4), 67–69.CrossRef Ramchiary, A. (2013). Gandhian concept of truth and non-violence. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 18(4), 67–69.CrossRef
go back to reference Rediff News. (2012). Maharashtra tops nation in divorce. Rediff.com. Rediff News. (2012). Maharashtra tops nation in divorce. Rediff.com.
go back to reference Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparitive validity of personality traits, socio-economic status and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 313–345.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparitive validity of personality traits, socio-economic status and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 313–345.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Rosenberg, B. M. (2003). Nonviolent Communication: A language of life. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer. Rosenberg, B. M. (2003). Nonviolent Communication: A language of life. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer.
go back to reference Sandhya, S. (2009). The Social context of marital happiness in urban Indian couples: Interplay of intimacy and conflict. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 35(1), 74–96.CrossRef Sandhya, S. (2009). The Social context of marital happiness in urban Indian couples: Interplay of intimacy and conflict. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 35(1), 74–96.CrossRef
go back to reference Sonawat, R. (2001). Understanding families in India: A reflection of societal changes. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesiquisa, 17(2), 177–186. Sonawat, R. (2001). Understanding families in India: A reflection of societal changes. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesiquisa, 17(2), 177–186.
go back to reference Taylor, S. E., Klein, L. C., Lewis, B. P., Gruenewald, T. L., Gurung, R. A. R., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend and befriend, not fight and flight. Psychological Review, 107, 411–429.CrossRefPubMed Taylor, S. E., Klein, L. C., Lewis, B. P., Gruenewald, T. L., Gurung, R. A. R., & Updegraff, J. A. (2000). Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend and befriend, not fight and flight. Psychological Review, 107, 411–429.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Theiss, J. A., & Solomon, D. H. (2006). A relational turbulence model of communication about irritations in romantic relationshps. Communication Research, 33(5), 391–418.CrossRef Theiss, J. A., & Solomon, D. H. (2006). A relational turbulence model of communication about irritations in romantic relationshps. Communication Research, 33(5), 391–418.CrossRef
go back to reference Times, H. (2015). Divorce rate in India increasing. New Delhi: Indiafacts. Times, H. (2015). Divorce rate in India increasing. New Delhi: Indiafacts.
go back to reference Troy, A. B. (2000). Determining the Factors ofintimate relationship satisfaction: Interpersonal communication, sexual communicationand communication affect. Colgate University JournalofScience, 32, 221–230. Troy, A. B. (2000). Determining the Factors ofintimate relationship satisfaction: Interpersonal communication, sexual communicationand communication affect. Colgate University JournalofScience, 32, 221–230.
go back to reference Whisman, M. A., Snyder, D. K., & Beach, S. R. H. (2009). Screening for marital and relationship discord. Journal of Family & Psychology, 23(2), 247–254.CrossRef Whisman, M. A., Snyder, D. K., & Beach, S. R. H. (2009). Screening for marital and relationship discord. Journal of Family & Psychology, 23(2), 247–254.CrossRef
go back to reference Yalcin, M. B., & Karahan, T. F. (2007). Effects ofa couple communication program on marital adjustment. JABFM, 20(1), 36–44.CrossRefPubMed Yalcin, M. B., & Karahan, T. F. (2007). Effects ofa couple communication program on marital adjustment. JABFM, 20(1), 36–44.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Couples Communication Program for Enhancing Couples’ Communication and Marital Satisfaction Among Distressed Partners
Authors
Joshy Jacob Vazhappilly
Marc Eric S. Reyes
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-017-9375-6

Other articles of this Issue 2/2018

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 2/2018 Go to the issue