Comparison of the Effectiveness of Bowenian Systemic Therapy and Minuchin’s Structural Therapy on Family Cohesion and Marital Commitment in Conflictual Couples in Mashhad
Keywords:
Bowenian systemic therapy, Minuchin’s structural therapy, family cohesion, marital commitmentAbstract
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy on family cohesion and marital commitment among couples experiencing marital conflict. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest–posttest design, including a control group and a one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all conflictual couples who referred to counseling centers (Dr. Hekmabadi, Lifestyle, Farhikhtagan, Rah-e Sabz, and Rasa) in the city of Mashhad during the summer of 2024 (July to September 2024). Using convenience sampling, 90 couples were selected as the sample and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (30 participants in each group). Data were collected using the Family Organizational Cohesion Questionnaire developed by Fisher et al. (1992) and the Marital Commitment Questionnaire by Adams and Jones (1997). One week after administering the pretest to all three groups, the first experimental group received Bowenian systemic therapy, the second experimental group received Minuchin’s structural therapy, and the control group received no intervention. Subsequently, the posttest was administered to all groups. To examine between-group differences, a multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted, considering the within-subject factor (time: test) and the between-subject factor (group membership). The results indicated that both Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy were effective in improving family cohesion and marital commitment in conflictual couples. Another finding showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy on family cohesion only in the dimension of participation and cooperation; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two therapies with respect to marital commitment. Based on the study findings, Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy were both effective in enhancing family cohesion and marital commitment among couples experiencing marital conflict.
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References
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