Forgiveness-Reconciliation and Communication-Conflict-Resolution Interventions Versus Retested Controls in Early Married Couples

The first 6 months of marriage are optimal for marriage enrichment interventions. The Hope-Focused Approach to couple enrichment was presented as two 9-hr interventions-(a) Handling Our Problems Effectively (HOPE), which emphasized communication and conflict resolution, and (b) Forgiveness and Recon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of counseling psychology 2015-01, Vol.62 (1), p.14-27
Main Authors: Worthington, Everett L., Berry, Jack W., Hook, Joshua N., Davis, Don E., Scherer, Michael, Griffin, Brandon J., Wade, Nathaniel G., Yarhouse, Mark, Ripley, Jennifer S., Miller, Andrea J., Sharp, Constance B., Canter, David E., Campana, Kathryn L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Coding
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Couples
Decision Making
Empathy
Female
Forgiveness
Hormones
Human
Humans
Interpersonal communication
Intervention
Male
Marriage
Marriage - psychology
Marriage Counseling
Negotiating
Reconciliation
Spouses - psychology
Treatment Outcomes
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Summary:The first 6 months of marriage are optimal for marriage enrichment interventions. The Hope-Focused Approach to couple enrichment was presented as two 9-hr interventions-(a) Handling Our Problems Effectively (HOPE), which emphasized communication and conflict resolution, and (b) Forgiveness and Reconciliation through Experiencing Empathy (FREE). HOPE and FREE were compared with repeated assessment controls. Couples were randomly assigned and were assessed at pretreatment (t1); 1 month posttreatment (t2) and at 3- (t3), 6- (t4), and 12-month (t5) follow-ups using self-reports. In addition to self-report measures, couples were assessed at t1, t2, and t5 using salivary cortisol, and behavioral coding of decision making. Of 179 couples who began the study, 145 cases were analyzed. Both FREE and HOPE produced lasting positive changes on self-reports. For cortisol reactivity, HOPE and FREE reduced reactivity at t2, but only HOPE at t5. For coded behaviors, control couples deteriorated; FREE and HOPE did not change. Enrichment training was effective regardless of the focus of the training.
ISSN:0022-0167
1939-2168
DOI:10.1037/cou0000045