Dynamic Analysis of Changes in Marital Relationship Across the Course of Couple Therapy
Keywords:
Couple therapy, marital relationship, dynamic change analysis, emotion regulation, emotional intimacyAbstract
The aim of this study was to dynamically analyze the developmental trajectory of marital relationship change throughout the course of couple therapy. This longitudinal mixed-methods study was conducted on 28 couples referred to family counseling centers in Tehran. Quantitative data were collected at four time points (pre-test, session six, session twelve, and one-month follow-up) using standardized measures of marital adjustment, emotional intimacy, emotion regulation, and conflict patterns. In parallel, in-depth semi-structured interviews and systematic clinical observations were obtained. Quantitative data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and longitudinal growth modeling, and qualitative data were examined through process-based thematic analysis. Time exerted a significant positive effect on marital adjustment, emotional intimacy, and emotion regulation, and a significant negative effect on conflict patterns (p<0.001). Large effect sizes indicated strong and sustained therapeutic impact. Longitudinal growth modeling revealed a gradual and coherent pattern of relational transformation over the course of therapy. Couple therapy facilitates stable restructuring of emotional, cognitive, and interactional dimensions of marital relationships through progressive self-reinforcing change processes, and dynamic analysis of this transformation offers valuable guidance for optimizing clinical interventions.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Shokouh Navabinejad (Author); Nadereh Saadati (Corresponding author)
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