Effectiveness of a Distress Tolerance Program on Marital Adjustment and Negative Affect

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Distress Tolerance Program on improving marital adjustment and reducing negative affect in married individuals. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 30 married participants from Armenia, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) receiving a 10-session Distress Tolerance Program or a control group (n = 15) receiving no intervention. Standardized tools—the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and the Negative Affect subscale of the PANAS—were administered at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests with SPSS-27. Assumptions for normality, homogeneity, and sphericity were confirmed prior to inferential testing. Results demonstrated significant time × group interaction effects for both marital adjustment (F(2, 56) = 27.22, p < .001, η² = .51) and negative affect (F(2, 56) = 26.26, p < .001, η² = .48). Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons indicated significant improvements in marital adjustment and reductions in negative affect from pre-test to post-test and from pre-test to follow-up (all p < .001) in the intervention group. No significant changes were observed between post-test and follow-up scores, suggesting the intervention effects were sustained over time. The findings support the efficacy of distress tolerance training as a targeted psychological intervention for enhancing marital adjustment and reducing negative affect. The program’s long-term benefits highlight its potential for use in clinical and marital counseling settings, especially in culturally sensitive contexts where emotional suppression and relational conflict are prevalent.