The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy and Social Support Training on Marital Conflict and Social Interactions Among Mothers of Children with Specific Learning Disorders

Setareh Mohannaei; Seyedeh Sahar  Mousavi Shourgoli

Authors

Setareh Mohannaei Department of Psychology, Khorm.C., Islamic Azad University, Khormoj, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6373-8577
Seyedeh Sahar Mousavi Shourgoli Department of Sociology, Bu.C., Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0227-0287

Keywords:

cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, social support training, marital conflict, social interactions

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and social support training on marital conflict and social interactions among mothers of children with specific learning disorders who attended counseling centers in Bushehr. The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of mothers of children with specific learning disorders who attended counseling centers in Bushehr. The study sample comprised 60 participants selected through voluntary sampling. Data were collected using the Marital Conflict Questionnaire developed by Sanaei-Zaker and Bostanipour (2008) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale developed by Mattick and Clarke (1998). The results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of marital conflict. In other words, cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and social support training resulted in greater improvement in marital conflict among participants in the experimental groups compared with those in the control group, demonstrating the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and social support training in reducing marital conflict. A significant difference was also found between the experimental and control groups in terms of social interactions. In other words, cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and social support training improved social interactions among participants in the experimental groups compared with those in the control group, indicating the effectiveness of these interventions in enhancing social interactions.

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