The Effect of Premarital Education based on Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge Program on Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Emotional Regulation

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 M.A. in Family Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahwaz, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahwaz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Lack of adequate education about marriage and how to start and interpersonal relationship maintenance can challenge the couple's life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of premarital education based on interpersonal choices and knowledge program on improving relationship maintenance and emotional regulation strategies in single people applicants for marriage in Yasuj city. Method: The design of this study was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The population of this study included 126 single people referred to Shahid Ashrafi Yasouj Health Center which 88 single people applicants for marriage were selected voluntarily and according to the criteria of include and exclude were assigned randomly to experiment (44 people) and control (44 people) groups. Participants responded to the Relationship Maintenance Strategies Index and Emotional Regulation Scale in three stages (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). The participants of the experimental group participated in eight ninety-minute sessions in premarital education based on interpersonal choices and knowledge program, and the participants of the control group participated only in one session of premarital education program about the importance of marriage, methods of acquaintance, and approaches of starting a mutual life. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (mixed), and SPSS-21 statistical software. Results: The results showed that premarital education based on interpersonal choices and knowledge program improved relationship maintenance strategies, reduced repression, and reevaluation of emotional regulation of pretest to follow-up stages in the participants of the experimental group compared to the control group.Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that premarital education through selection and interpersonal awareness is an appropriate method to improve relationship maintenance and emotional regulation strategies in marriage applicants in Yasuj city.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Family Counseling and Psychotherapy
Volume 13, Issue 1 - Serial Number 35
September 2023
Pages 67-98

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  • Receive Date: 08 July 2023
  • Revise Date: 23 September 2023
  • Accept Date: 25 August 2023

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