Effects of a structured couple relationship programme for the enhancement of marital satisfaction

The study sought to investigate the effectiveness of a structured programme geared towards improving marital satisfaction as measured by Marital Satisfaction Inventory, among selected married couples. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions : 1. Will this programme significantly reduce the Global Distress among the married couples? 2. Will this programme significantly enhance Affective Communication among married couples? 3. Will this programme significantly enhance Problem Solving Communication skills among the married couples? The study was conducted among twenty (20) married couples coming from Quezon City using the experimental research methods, employing particularly the pretest and post-test-one and post-test-two design. A structured programme was used to enhance the level of marital satisfaction among selected married couples. All the data were computer-analysed employing Two-Way Repeated Measures design. The findings of the study show that there was a significant effect of the treatment programme on the experimental group on Global Distress, Affective Communication and Problem Solving Communication. There was no significant change in the control group. It was concluded that the Couple Relationship Program was effective in reducing Global Distress and in enhancing communication skills. It is effective for couples who have been married for ten (10) years or more. Marital difficulaties can be resolved within a group setting and with the use of the psycho-spiritual activities. Internalization of learning in husbands was slower than in wives, particularly in Global Distress and Affective Communication. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made: 1. Conduct the same experiment with the Control Group and with other married couples who feel the need for such, to increase generalizability of its results. 2. Provide a longer interval between treatment and post-test, e. g., one (1) week, to give time for the subjects to practice the skills learned. 3. The session