بررسی اثربخشی درمان بین‌فردی بر کیفیت روابط زناشویی و رضایت از زندگی در زوجین متعارض

مهرداد  صالحی; ژاله  حسن پور; صدیقه  احمدی ورنکش; مهسا  ورهرام; ارسلان برکت

Authors

Mehrdad Salehi MA student, Family Counseling Department, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3615-6149
Zhaleh Hasanpour MA, Department of Clinical Psychology, Tehran (Ardabil) SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5944-5045
Sedighe Ahmadi Warnkesh MA, Department of Clinical Psychology, Khom.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9217-0554
Mahsa Varahram MA, Department of Personality Psychology, ST.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0263-9207
Arsalan Barekat PhD student, Department of Health Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6070-3934

Keywords:

interpersonal therapy, quality of marital relationships, life satisfaction, conflicting couples

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) on marital relationship quality and life satisfaction among conflicted couples attending counseling centers in Tehran.

Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of conflicted couples who referred to counseling centers in Tehran during the second half of 2025. A total of 30 couples were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 couples) or the control group (15 couples). Data were collected using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of interpersonal psychotherapy, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance.

Findings: Inferential analyses demonstrated significant effects of interpersonal psychotherapy on the study variables. Multivariate tests revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in life satisfaction (p < .001). Furthermore, MANOVA results at posttest indicated significant improvements in marital relationship quality (F = 32.181, p < .001, η² = .714) and life satisfaction (F = 71.184, p < .001, η² = .632) among participants receiving IPT. The obtained effect sizes suggested that a substantial proportion of the observed variance was attributable to the intervention. Follow-up assessments further indicated that the positive effects were maintained over time.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that interpersonal psychotherapy effectively enhances marital relationship quality and life satisfaction by improving communication patterns, clarifying role expectations, strengthening problem-solving skills, and fostering mutual understanding between partners. Therefore, IPT can be considered an effective, structured, and evidence-based intervention for reducing marital conflicts and promoting family well-being in counseling and family therapy settings.

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