Research and Practice in Couple Therapy

This study aimed to investigate the predictive roles of affective attunement and emotional containment in marital harmony among married individuals in Pakistan. Using a correlational descriptive design, 425 married participants from urban regions of Pakistan were selected based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size table through stratified random sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the three variables: marital harmony, affective attunement, and emotional containment. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27, applying descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. All parametric assumptions—including normality, linearity, homoscedasticity, and multicollinearity—were verified prior to inferential analysis. The results showed that both affective attunement (r = .61, p < .01) and emotional containment (r = .53, p < .01) were significantly and positively correlated with marital harmony. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the two predictors jointly accounted for 46% of the variance in marital harmony (R² = .46, F(2, 422) = 179.24, p < .001). Affective attunement (β = .49, t = 8.87, p < .001) and emotional containment (β = .36, t = 7.43, p < .001) were both statistically significant predictors, with affective attunement showing a slightly stronger effect. The findings emphasize the crucial roles of emotional alignment and self-regulation in sustaining marital harmony. Specifically, affective attunement and emotional containment contribute significantly to relational satisfaction and stability. These insights have important implications for marital counseling and psychoeducational interventions focused on enhancing emotional competencies in couples.

This study aimed to examine the effect of forgiveness on marital trust with emotional reconciliation as a mediating variable among married individuals in Hong Kong. A descriptive correlational design was employed using a sample of 381 married participants, selected based on Krejcie and Morgan's sample size table for large populations. Data were collected using standardized self-report questionnaires measuring forgiveness, emotional reconciliation, and marital trust. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were conducted using SPSS-27 and AMOS-21 software. Assumptions for normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and confirmed prior to the analysis. Pearson correlations revealed significant positive associations between forgiveness and emotional reconciliation (r = .62, p < .01), forgiveness and marital trust (r = .58, p < .01), and emotional reconciliation and marital trust (r = .55, p < .01). The SEM analysis demonstrated a good model fit (χ²/df = 2.14, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.045, TLI = 0.96). Forgiveness had a significant direct effect on emotional reconciliation (β = 0.62) and marital trust (β = 0.34), while emotional reconciliation significantly predicted marital trust (β = 0.37). The indirect effect of forgiveness on marital trust through emotional reconciliation was also significant (β = 0.23), indicating a partial mediating role. The total effect of forgiveness on marital trust was substantial (β = 0.57, p < .001). The findings suggest that forgiveness enhances marital trust both directly and indirectly through emotional reconciliation. These results underscore the importance of promoting emotional repair strategies in marital relationships to rebuild trust following interpersonal conflicts.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of constructive feedback on marital adjustment, with the mediating role of partner validation among married individuals in Kenya. A descriptive correlational design was employed involving 385 married participants selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie (1970) sample size table. Participants completed validated Likert-scale instruments assessing constructive feedback, partner validation, and marital adjustment. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). SPSS version 27 was used for descriptive and inferential statistics, while AMOS version 21 was employed to test the structural relationships among variables and the model’s fit indices. Pearson correlation results showed significant positive relationships between constructive feedback and partner validation (r = .62, p < .001), constructive feedback and marital adjustment (r = .57, p < .001), and partner validation and marital adjustment (r = .69, p < .001). SEM analysis confirmed the model fit with acceptable indices (χ²/df = 1.95, GFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.047). Constructive feedback had significant direct effects on both partner validation (β = .62, p < .001) and marital adjustment (β = .24, p = .004). Partner validation had a strong direct effect on marital adjustment (β = .65, p < .001). The indirect effect of constructive feedback on marital adjustment through partner validation (β = .40, p < .001) was also significant, highlighting the mediating role of partner validation. The total effect of constructive feedback on marital adjustment was β = .64. The findings suggest that constructive feedback significantly enhances marital adjustment, both directly and indirectly, by fostering partner validation. Emotional validation acts as a key mechanism through which respectful communication strengthens relational outcomes. These results underscore the importance of integrating communication and validation training into marital support programs.

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perspective-taking in the relationship between marital disagreements and emotional intimacy among married individuals. A descriptive correlational research design was used with a sample of 420 married individuals from Hungary, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sampling table. Standardized tools were utilized to measure marital disagreements, perspective-taking, and emotional intimacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and correlational statistics, and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Pearson correlation coefficients assessed the bivariate relationships, and SEM evaluated the proposed mediation model and fit indices. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that marital disagreements were negatively correlated with both perspective-taking (r = −.41, p < .001) and emotional intimacy (r = −.48, p < .001), while perspective-taking was positively correlated with emotional intimacy (r = .52, p < .001). SEM results confirmed a good model fit (χ²/df = 2.10, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.051, TLI = 0.95). The path analysis showed that marital disagreements had a significant direct negative effect on emotional intimacy (β = −.29, p < .001) and on perspective-taking (β = −.26, p < .001), while perspective-taking had a significant positive effect on emotional intimacy (β = .39, p < .001). The indirect effect of marital disagreements on emotional intimacy through perspective-taking was also significant (β = −.10, p < .001), confirming the mediating role. The findings underscore the detrimental impact of marital disagreements on emotional intimacy and highlight perspective-taking as a crucial cognitive-emotional mechanism that buffers this relationship. Enhancing perspective-taking skills may be a valuable strategy in couple-based interventions aimed at preserving emotional closeness despite conflict.

This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of perspective-taking and interactional warmth in mutual understanding among married individuals. A correlational descriptive design was employed with a sample of 350 married participants residing in Armenia, selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Standardized instruments were used to measure mutual understanding, perspective-taking, and interactional warmth. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis. Assumptions for normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity were tested and met. The results showed that both perspective-taking (r = .61, p < .01) and interactional warmth (r = .66, p < .01) had significant positive correlations with mutual understanding. Linear regression analysis indicated that the model was statistically significant (F(2, 347) = 85.61, p < .001), with both perspective-taking (β = .36, p < .001) and interactional warmth (β = .42, p < .001) significantly predicting mutual understanding. The model explained 52% of the variance in the dependent variable (R² = .52). The findings underscore the importance of both cognitive empathy and emotional expressiveness in fostering mutual understanding within marital relationships. Perspective-taking and interactional warmth function as complementary interpersonal capacities that contribute significantly to marital cohesion. These results suggest the need for marital education and counseling programs to incorporate strategies aimed at enhancing both empathetic thinking and emotional responsiveness as key relational skills.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a structured perspective-taking training program in reducing power struggles and enhancing relational empathy among romantic partners. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 participants (15 couples) recruited from Lima, Peru, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in ten weekly 90-minute sessions of perspective-taking training, while the control group received no treatment. Standardized self-report measures were used to assess power struggles and relational empathy at pretest, posttest, and a five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests with SPSS-27, and all assumptions for inferential testing were confirmed. Significant time × group interaction effects were observed for both power struggles (F(2, 54) = 26.17, p < .001, η² = .503) and relational empathy (F(2, 54) = 30.23, p < .001, η² = .529). Participants in the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in power struggles from pretest to posttest (mean difference = 8.36, p < .001), with stable results at follow-up. Likewise, relational empathy significantly increased in the intervention group between pretest and posttest (mean difference = -10.76, p < .001) and remained consistent at the follow-up phase. The control group showed no significant changes over time for either variable. Perspective-taking training is an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing destructive conflict behaviors and fostering emotional understanding in intimate relationships. These findings support the integration of cognitive-affective empathy training into relational counseling and educational programs to improve long-term relationship quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Power Dynamics Awareness Training (PDAT) on improving marital equality and conflict resolution among married couples. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 participants (15 in the intervention group and 15 in the control group) recruited from Germany. The intervention consisted of six weekly 60–90-minute sessions focusing on recognizing power imbalances and enhancing constructive conflict resolution skills. Standardized instruments—the Marital Equality Scale and the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory—were administered at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS-27 to assess within- and between-group differences over time. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interaction effects for both marital equality (F(2, 54) = 29.07, p < .001, η² = .527) and conflict resolution (F(2, 54) = 32.12, p < .001, η² = .546), indicating greater improvements in the intervention group compared to the control group. Post-hoc comparisons showed significant gains in marital equality (MD = 13.76, p < .001) and conflict resolution (MD = 14.05, p < .001) from pre-test to post-test, with effects sustained at the five-month follow-up. No significant decline was observed between post-test and follow-up scores. The findings support the efficacy of Power Dynamics Awareness Training in fostering marital equality and enhancing conflict resolution capacities in couples. The structured intervention led to significant and lasting improvements, highlighting the importance of integrating power-awareness components into relational counseling and educational programs aimed at promoting equity and emotional resilience in intimate relationships.

This study aimed to explore the intrapsychic and interpersonal predictors that contribute to long-term marital adjustment among married individuals in Iraq. A qualitative research design using a thematic analysis approach was employed to capture the complex psychological and relational processes underlying marital adjustment. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 married participants (12 women and 9 men) who had been in marital relationships for a minimum of ten years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling from various regions in Iraq, ensuring diversity in age, education, and socioeconomic background. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached and were transcribed verbatim for analysis. NVivo software was used to manage and code the data systematically, and an inductive approach guided the identification of themes and subthemes. Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) Intrapsychic Regulation, including emotional self-awareness, cognitive flexibility, and personal value alignment; (2) Interpersonal Communication, including empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional expression; (3) Shared Meaning and Relational Identity, encompassing couple rituals, “we-ness,” and joint meaning-making; and (4) External and Contextual Influences, such as economic pressures, extended family dynamics, cultural expectations, and technological interference. Participants consistently emphasized the interplay between psychological resilience, communication quality, and sociocultural context in shaping marital endurance and satisfaction. The study highlights that long-term marital adjustment is a multidimensional process shaped by internal psychological capacities, dyadic relational practices, and broader cultural and structural factors. Findings underscore the importance of culturally grounded interventions that enhance emotional regulation, mutual understanding, and shared meaning-making in marital relationships, particularly in transitional or post-conflict societies like Iraq.