The Effectiveness of Relationship Enhancement Training Program in Subjective Well-Being of Teachers and Their Spouses

M. Zare’ Bahramabadi, Ph D

A. Pouzad, M. A.

S. Soleymani, M. A.

S. Ja’fari, M. A.

The aim of the present research was to determine the effectiveness of relationship enhancement program in subjective well-being of teachers and their spouses. In this semi-experimental study, a pre-test, post-test research design with control group was used. From among 54 married teachers of Manojan (Kerman province) who had voluntarily registered for the program, a number of 24 teachers were selected via purposive sampling. In the next step, the subjects were assigned to experimental (6 couples) and control (6 couples) groups. The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of relationship enhancement training program and the control group did not receive any intervention.  Subjective Well-being Questionnaire (SWB) was administered and then the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and covariance analysis. Results showed that the relationship enhancement training program had significant effects on improving couples’ subjective well-being. In addition, it increased life satisfaction as well as positive affect, whereas it decreased negative affect. It can be concluded that relationship enhancement program and providing training in empathy, problem solving, and especially conversation skills can promote subjective well-being among couples.

Key words: subjective well-being, relationship enhancement training program, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect