Document Type : Research Article

Author

Assistant Professor Department of Psycology, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Effective communication and the establishment of a good communication pattern between husband and wife have a prominent role in marital satisfaction and can play a crucial role in creating a sense of security and happiness for couples. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis, examining the effectiveness of life skills training on the marital satisfaction of couples.
 
Method
For this purpose, the meta-analysis method was used as a statistical method to determine, collect, combine and summarize the research results associated with effectiveness of life skills training on marital satisfaction. To find and collect all research reports, internal databases such as, Magiran, SID, Ensani, Noomags, and Civilica, were used. Among all the studies conducted in Iran between 2010 and 2017, the articles that were methodologically appropriate in terms of population, sample size, research method, sampling method and measurement tools, have been included in the present study. Finally, 18 studies with the necessary criteria have been analyzed. Data was analyzed using standardized mean difference effect size method or Cohen's d (1988) for fixed effect model. All statistical operations were accomplished by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, Version 2.0 (CMA-2).
 
Results
Results showed that the mean effect size of mixed-model for fixed effect model and for random effect model were significant (p < 0.001), 1.555 and 1.925 respectively. Since the effect sizes were heterogeneous, moderating variables were examined. The results indicated that in terms of research design, gender, type of training, number of life skills training and status of participant, there were significant differences between effect sizes across the studies (p < 0.05).
 
Conclusions
Overall, teaching basic life skills increased marital satisfaction in Iranian couples. However, it appears that some factors had negatively influenced the effectiveness of these studies. More studies are needed to determine the reasons for the low impact of these interventions.
 

Keywords

Abbasi, A., Jalilpour, N., Kamkar, A., Zadehbaghri, GH, & Mohamed F. (2011). The effects of life skills training on marital satisfaction of married women: A case study in Dogonbadan, Iran. Armaghane danesh, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences Journal (YUMSJ), 16 (6), 587-94. [Persian]
Abedi, A., Mosayebi, E., & Orezi, H. R. (2013). Meta-analysis of effectiveness of psychological groups intervention on rate of marital satisfaction (Iran- 1383-1389). Journal of Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3 (2), 233-59.[Persian]
Ahmadzadeh, M., Faramarzi, S., Shamsi, A. H., & Samadi, M. (2012). A meta-analysis of relationship between attachment styles and marital satisfaction. Journal of Clinical Psychology Thinking & Behavior, 7 (25), 38-47. [Persian]
American Psychological Association (2009). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC: American Psycho-logical Association.
Azizi, A., Esmaeli, R., Dehghan-Manshadi S. M., & Esmaeli, S. (2016). The effectiveness of life skills training on marital satisfaction in divorce applicant couples. Iran Journal of Nursing, 29 (99), 22-33. [Persian]
Botvin, G. J. (1989). Life skills training: Promoting health and personal development: Teacher's manual. Cornell University Medical College Press.
Bova, C., Burwick, N. T., & Quinones, M. (2008). Improving women's adjustment to HIV infection: Results of the positive life skills workshop project, Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 19 (1), 58-65.
Burrell, N., Allen, M., Gayle, B. M., & Preiss, R. W. (2014). Managing interpersonal conflict, advances through meta-analysis. Rout Ledge Press.
Chehreh, H., Ozgoli, G., & Abolmaali, Kh. (2018). The relationship between personality traits and marital satisfaction based on five factors model of personality: A systematic review. Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Science, 22 (3), 121-32.[Persian]
Dehghan, F., Piri-Kamrani, M., Goli, R., & Rahmani, H.(2017).The impact of life skills training on marital satisfaction, marital dissatisfaction and mental health of veteran’s wife. Journal of Women and Society, 7 (28), 1-12.[Persian]
Fakhr, Z., & Kakavand, A. R. (2015). The effect of communication skills training on marital satisfaction of couples. International Conference on Modern Approaches to the Humanities. Retrieved from: https://www. civilica.com/Paper-PSCONF04-PSCONF04_146.html. [Persian]
Faramarzi, S., Izadi, R., & Nazeri-Ghomi, N. (2014).The effectiveness of life skills training on increasing marital satisfaction. Applied Psychological Research Quarterly, 4 (4), 1-14.[Persian]
Ghorbanizadeh, V., & Hassan-Nangir, S. T. (2013). Application manual for meta-analysis with CMA2 software. Tehran: Jameeshenasan Publication. [Persian]
Hajhosseini, M., Zandi S., & Saninejad, S. (2017). Efficacy of PAIRS group psycho-education on marital satisfaction of pregnant women. Journal of Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi, 6 (2), 221-38. [Persian]
Hedges, M., Higgins, L., & Rothstein, H. (2004). Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Manual, v2. Retrieved from: https://www.Meta-analysis.com/downloads/Meta-Analysis-Manual.pdf
Hooman, H. A., Ganji, K., & Omidifar, A. (2013). The meta-analysis of the effectiveness of life skills training on mental health. Journal of Developmental Psychology: Iranian Psychologist, 10 (37), 39-50. [Persian]
Kamaly, A., Dehghani, S., & Ghasemi, H. (2014). Meta-analysis of effectiveness of psychological interventions – counseling on enhancing marital satisfaction (Iran: 2002_2012). Journal of Culture Counseling, 5 (19), 70-86. [Persian]
Kaveh-Farsani, Z., Ahmadi, S. A., & Fatehizadeh, M. S. (2012). The effect of life skills training on marital satisfaction and adjustment of married women in rural areas of Farsan. Journal of Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2 (3), 373-87. [Persian]
Khosrojerdi, A., & Namni, E. (2016). The effectiveness of life skills on marital satisfaction and the quality of life of married women. The 4th National Consultation and Mental Health Conference. Retrieved from:  https://www.civilica.com/Paper-MAHCONF01-MAHCONF01_173.html. [Persian]
Mardani-Hamoleh, M., & Rozitalab, M. (2010). The effect of life skills training on marital satisfaction of hospital female personnel. Journal of Dena, 4 (2), 1-11. [Persian]
Mohammad Zadeh, M., Azimi, M. R., & Purmohammadiyan, S. (2016). The effect of life skills training on marital satisfaction. The 4th Conference on Educational Sciences and Psychology, Social and Cultural Dangers of Iran. Retrieved from: https://www.civilica.com/PaperMHWIAUQ04 MHWIAUQ04_442.html. [Persian]
Nejati, H. (2007). Marital Psychology. Tehran: Bikaran Publication. [Persian]
Orayzi, H. R., Abedi, A., & Amini, M. (2016). A meta-analysis of extroversion and marital satisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of mental Health, 18 (6), 305-12. [Persian]
Parvin, N., Fatemi, A., Aminian, F., & Rafiee-Vardanjani, L. (2014). Effectiveness of life training skills on marital satisfaction of female nurses in Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord city- a clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Nursing and Midwifery, 3 (1), 37-46. [Persian]
Pourheydari, S., Bagherian, F., Doustkam, M., & Bahadorkhan, J. (2013). The effects of life skills training on marital and sexual satisfaction of young couples. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 14 (1), 14-22.[Persian]
Saadat, L., & Zeinali, A. (2016). The effect of family life education on marital satisfactions among Behzisty employees. The Journal of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, 27 (9), 744-59. [Persian]
Sajjadi, S., Ghaderisani, R., Farhoodian, A., Mohaghegh, H., Reza-Soltani, P. & Azadchehr, M. (2015). Effectiveness of life skills training on marital satisfaction among young couples. Journal of Social Welfare; 15 (56), 133-49. [Persian]
Shariat, A., Ghamarani, A., Abedi, A., & Sharif, T. (2016). Meta-analysis of the effectiveness of couple therapy on increasing marriage satisfaction (Iran 2006-2012). Journal of Woman and Family Studies, 3 (1), 93-109. [Persian]
Shirpoor, A. H., & Ebrahimi-Moghadam, H. (2017). The effectiveness of life skill training on marital satisfaction and life expectancy of people with AIDS. Journal of Psychology New Ideas, 1 (1), 21-28. [Persian]
Taheri, N., Aghamohammadian-Sherbaf, H. R., & Asghari-Ebrahimabad, M. J. (2017). The effectiveness of an intimate relationship skills training (PAIRS) on increasing marital adjustment and satisfaction in women with cancer. Journal of Urmia Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, 15 (4), 301-12. [Persian]
Umberson, D., Williams, K., Powers, D. A., Liu, H., & Needham, B. (2006). You make me sick: Marital quality and health over the life course. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 47, 1–16.
World Health Organization (1993). Life Skills Training Program. (Translated: R. Noori; P. MohammadKhani).Tehran: Welfare Organization Press. [Persian]
Yoosefi, N. (2016). Effectiveness of life skills training in marital satisfaction and couple's hopefulness. Family Psychology Journal, 3 (1), 59-70. [Persian]
Zarnaghash, M., & Shahni, R. (2013). The influence of family therapy on marital conflicts. ProcediaSocial and Behavioral Sciences, 84, 1838-1844.