The Effect of Halford Couple Relationship Education (CRE) on the Spouse Preservation Behaviors and primary Marital Relationship

Abstract

Background and Aim: The study of couples' relationships helps to clarify the structural frameworks in which these relationships are formed. One of the dimensions of this relationship is the primary marital relationship that couples use when faced with marital problems. Accordingly, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of Halford couple relationship education (CRE) on the spouse preservation behaviors and the primary marital relationship in young couples in Kermanshah. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a one-month follow-up in which 30 couples were selected by the convenient sampling method from couples referring to comprehensive urban health service centers in Kermanshah and randomly assigned to the experimental group (15 couples) and the control group (15 couples). After the pre-test, the experimental group received the Halford couple relationship education intervention for six weeks, one session per week, and all subjects were assessed in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages using the Buss et al. (2008) Spouse Preservation Behavior Scale and the Navran (1967) Primary Communication Inventory (PCI). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: The results indicated that Halford relationship education was significantly effective and improved spouse preservation behaviors (F = 5.32, P = 0.029) and primary marital relationship (P = 0.001, F = 85.21) up to the follow-up stage. Conclusion: The results of this study can provide useful information about this type of couple training for counselors and helpers to improve relationships between spouses.