The effectiveness of behavioural marital therapy with four couples from alcohol-complicated marriages

The effectiveness of a Behavioural Marital Therapy programme was investigated with distressed couples from alcohol-complicated marriages. Four couples were recruited from the Alcohol Counselling Centre, and received 8-10 weeks of social skills and communication training. The therapy was based on a programme designed by Lynne Haye as part of the Canterbury Enrichment and Social Skills Training (CRESST) project.• As well as a large assessment battery of self-report and quasi-observational measures, a multiple-baseline proce­ dure was used to analyse data from the Marital Happiness Scale; Spouse Observation Checklist; couples' communication and target behaviours. Repertory and Reconstruction Grids were also taken at pre-treatment, post-treatment and one month follow-up to note changes in their perceptions. All couples showed improvements in self-reported conflict and marital satisfaction. However, there was little evidence of significant behavioural changes in the marriages, following therapy. Due to incomplete follow-up data, no conclusions could be made regarding generalisation and maintanence. The need for marital therapy in the problem­ drinking population is discussed and suggestions are made on the most effective implementation of the CRESST programme