Effectiveness of Johnson Model Couple’s Enrichment Training Program on Attachment Behavior and Sexual Dissatisfaction in Maladapted Couples

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Ph.D. student, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Masjed Soleiman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Masjed Soleiman, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Susangerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Susangerd, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Researchers have found severe marital conflicts to be related to lower health and various diseases such as cancer, cardio, and chronic pains and concluded that marital maladjustment can bring about psychological and physical vulnerabilities among couples. The main focus of Johnson’s Model of Couple’s Enrichment Training Program is on understanding love, needs, and emotions, examining and controlling couples’ negative patterns, and developing positive, loving bonds. Objective: The current research aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Johnson model couple’s enrichment training program on attachment behaviors and sexual dissatisfaction in maladapted couples referred to counseling centers in Ahvaz. Method: The research design was experimental with pre-test-post-test-follow-up and control group. The research population was all maladjusted couples who were referred to counseling centers in Ahvaz among whom 30 couples were recruited using the available sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 couples in each group). The experimental group received 8 120-minute long sessions of enriching the relationships of Johnson couples. The instruments for collecting the data were the Scale of Couples 'Attachment Behaviours (Sandberg et al, 2012) and the Women's Sexual Satisfaction Scale (Meston, Trapnell, 2005). Data were analyzed by multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance. Findings: The results showed that there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of attachment behaviors (accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement) and sexual dissatisfaction. This effectiveness was continuing in the 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: The Johnson Model Couple Enrichment (HMT) training program improves access to and reprocessing of core emotional responses in couples' interactions.

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