The Effectiveness of an Educational Program Based on Olson's Integrative Approach on Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Hidden Relational Aggression in Couples with Emotional Divorce
Keywords:
Conflict resolution, Olson integrative approach, communication maintenance strategies, Covert Relational Aggression, emotional divorceAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a conflict resolution training program based on the Olson integrative approach on communication maintenance strategies and covert relational aggression in couples experiencing emotional divorce.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up design with a control group. The population consisted of couples with emotional divorce who had sought counseling in Tehran. A total of 30 couples were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 couples in each group). The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of the conflict resolution training program based on the Olson integrative approach, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Communication Maintenance Strategies Scale and the Covert Relational Aggression Scale, administered at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up.
Findings: Results indicated that the experimental group showed a significant increase in communication maintenance strategies from pre-test to post-test and follow-up (P < 0.001), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Additionally, covert relational aggression significantly decreased in the experimental group (P < 0.001), with no significant changes in the control group. These positive effects remained stable at the follow-up stage.
Conclusion: The conflict resolution training program based on the Olson integrative approach significantly improved communication maintenance strategies and reduced covert relational aggression in couples with emotional divorce. These findings suggest the effectiveness of the program in enhancing marital relationship quality and reducing conflicts.
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References
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