The efficacy of Attributional Retraining Program on cognitive appraisal processes, conflict resolution strategies and marital adjustment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor in Shahid Beheshti university

2 central branch of islamic azad university

Abstract

Aim: purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Attributional
Retraining Program on married women’s cognitive appraisals, conflict
resolution strategies and marriage adjustment. Method: was quasiexperimental design with pretest-posttest, a two-month-follow-up and
control-group. Statistical population consisted of 200 married women
referred to “Better Life” counseling center, in Tehran city in 2018. 30 married
women were selected through convenient sampling in experimental and
control groups; each group contained 15 members randomly. Instruments:
were Stress Appraisal Measure-Revised (SAM-R, Rowley, Roesch, Jurica &
Vaughn, 2005), Conflict Resolution Strategies Questionnaire (CRSQ, Kurdek,
1994) and Marriage Adjustment Scale (MAS, Walker & Allen, 1983) were
administered for both groups and attributional retraining program, developed
by Steinhardt and Dolbier in 2008, was performed in the experimental group
in 10 two-hour-sessions once a week. Data were analyzed using repeated
measures mixed analysis of variance. Results: The statistical results of mixed
ANOVA indicated that attributional retraining program was effective in
increasing challenging appraisal (F=4.994, P=0.014), resource appraisal
(F=6.065, P=0.001), positive problem solving strategy (F=4.764, P=0.002)
and marriage adjustment (F=5.861, P=0.001) and in decreasing threat
appraisal (F=7.536, P=0.001) and negative resolution styles consisting of
conflict engagement (F=4.865, P=0.002), conflict withdrawal (F=6.492,
P=0.001) and compliance (F=4.764, P=0.02); the effects were stable in
follow-up stage. Conclusion: attributional retraining program by improving
positive thinking strategies, adaptive management skills, Interpersonal
conflicting experiences and enrichment of interpersonal relationships skills
could result in improvement of multiple indicators of marriage relations
quality in married women.

Keywords

References

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