The Effectiveness of the Couple Therapy Based on Internal Control Psychology in Increasing Marital Satisfaction

A. Asghari Ganji, Ph D

S. Navabinejad, Ph D

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of the couple therapy based on internal control psychology in increasing marital satisfaction. The research design was pretest-posttest with control group. The population of the study consisted of 240 married students of Farhangiyan University of Babol. The sample which was selected through random sampling included 20 couples who possessed external locus of control and suffered from marital dissatisfaction. They were assigned to control (10 couples) and experimental (10 couples) groups. The instrumentation comprised Rotter Locus of Control Scale, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and clinical interview. Data were analyzed by descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (regression analysis and analysis of covariance). Results showed that the couple therapy based on internal control psychology was effective in increasing marital satisfaction. Thus, the couple therapy based on internal control psychology can be used as one of the intervention models for couples who suffer from marital dissatisfaction and intend to divorce.

Key words: couple therapy, internal control psychology, marital satisfaction