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Title:	Behavior group counseling for marital satisfaction among immigrant Iranian couples in Malaysia
Authors:	Zeinab Salehy (P54504)
Supervisor:	Zuria Mahmud, Professor Dr
Keywords:	Immigrant Married people -- Psychology
Issue Date:	11
Description:	Married immigrants face double challenges; learning different cultures of the host country as well as adjusting to their marriages in the new situation. Failure to do so, may impact not only their individual well being but also the relationship. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of group counseling on marital satisfaction among Iranian couples in Malaysia. This experimental study used a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data collection with 32 Iranian couples (64 individuals husband and wives aged 30-60). These couples participated in 5 sessions of behavioral group counseling. A module developed by the researcher was used to guide this group counseling process. The quantitative data were gathered by ENRICH questionnaire, which were applied to the 64 individuals, in both experimental and control group before and after group counseling intervention. All participants' respondents were interviewed individually before and after intervention, and were audio taped, and transcribed. However, for the experimental group (16 couples, 32 individuals), the qualitative data were further obtained from interactions that happened in the five group counseling sessions, which were audio/videotaped, and transcribed. The quantitative finding showed that the mean score in ENRICH for control group in pretest was 178.68 and posttest was 178. 84, while for experimental group, the pre score was 178.21, and post score was 206.15.The experimental group, after the intervention, showed highest scores in all components. ENRICH components that participants reported improvements during the sessions (from early to later sessions) were; personality, communication, conflict resolution, finance, leisure, sexual relationship, children responsibility, family and friend, and idealistic distortion, while spirituality was not seen as improved. Qualitative evidences showed that immigration challenges such as cultural, social and psychological adaptation, legal issues and finance have also contributed to their marital satisfaction. Participants reported that group counselling has helped them learn the techniques for altering potentially harmful behavioural habits, identify current situation and prevent future problems. Couples learned that with professional help they will be able to solve the issues safely, evaluate their marriage as well as quality of their marital lives. Participants felt that group counseling provided therapeutic factors such as; altruism, interpersonal learning, catharsis, cohesiveness, universality, instillation of hope and existential factors. This study gives the implication that special attention to marital group counselling seems necessary because it helps Iranian couples to achieve greater level of marriage satisfaction through group counselling intervention. The group counselling activity also contributes to the betterment of Iranian immigrant couples in Malaysia to adjust and learn new skills living outside the country.In conclusion the findings of this study suggest and support behavior group counseling intervention in improving marital satisfaction among Iranian immigrants' couples.,Ph.D
Pages:	241
Call Number:	HQ734.S235 2013
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Education / Fakulti Pendidikan

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