Comparison of Three Methods of Existential Psychotherapy, Individual, Group and Combined To Increase Marital Satisfaction

Azadeh Mahvelati Azadeh Mahvelati,Bahram Ali Ghanbari Hashem Abadi Bahram Ali Ghanbari Hashem Abadi,Mahsima Pourshahriari Mahsima Pourshahriari,Zohreh Sepehri Shamlou Zohreh Sepehri Shamlou

doi:10.25215/0402.159

Azadeh Mahvelati Azadeh Mahvelati, Bahram Ali Ghanbari Hashem Abadi Bahram Ali Ghanbari Hashem Abadi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.25215/0402.159

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of three: individual group and combined methods of psychotherapy based on the existential approach, in order to compare the increase in marital satisfaction of married women. The method used by the authors of this study was the Single Subject Assessment A-B. The statistical society of this study consisted of married women living in Mashhad’s 9th municipal district of Iran. The study’s sample selection followed a non-random-available method. Study’s tools consisted of demographic questionnaire, cognitive interviews and analog questions. Data analysis was conducted by means of presenting charts and graphs and clinical significance. Investigating the findings of analog questions indicated that combined method of existential psychotherapy is more effective in increasing marital satisfaction than group and individual existential therapy, and that group existential psychotherapy is more effective than individual existential therapy. Also, our follow up investigation, three months after the interventions showed that the effects of combined method of the end of therapy on married women lasted longer than individual and group methods of existential psychotherapy, also the effects of individual method of existential psychotherapy lasted longer than group method of existential therapy.

Highlights

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of three: individual group and combined methods of psychotherapy based on the existential approach, in order to compare the increase in marital satisfaction of married women
Firstly we evaluated the participants in terms of their degree of intelligence, living away from their husbands, having severe physical or mental disorders, and the lack of receiving current of cognitive psychotherapy, and selected 50 volunteers to participate in the study
In comparing therapy methods using result analysis through chart drawing and clinical significance we realized that right after the end of treatment and 3 months after the last session the participant of combined therapy has reported a higher ratio of marital satisfaction compared to individual and group therapy participants

Summary

Introduction

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of three: individual group and combined methods of psychotherapy based on the existential approach, in order to compare the increase in marital satisfaction of married women. Investigating the findings of analog questions indicated that combined method of existential psychotherapy is more effective in increasing marital satisfaction than group and individual existential therapy, and that group existential psychotherapy is more effective than individual existential therapy. The studies of Levinger and Hutson indicates that many marriages experience a time of significant disorderliness which puts one or both partners in the danger of developing mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression). Different approaches for couple therapy have average or significant statistical effects and often clinical ones. The family and couple therapy approach which was developed by Lantz is among those methods that its application might be beneficial in the mentioned subject

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