The Effect of Behavioral Couple Therapy on the Improvement of Mental Health and Reduction of Marital Conflict in Infertile Couples in Kermanshah: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a common disorder, exposing couples to complication such as the loss of mental health and the increase of marital conflicts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of behavioral couple therapy on the enhancement of mental health and reduction of marital conflicts. METHODS: In this clinical trial, 24 couples were selected using convenience sampling and were divided randomly into control (12 couples) and experimental (12 couples) groups. Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Kansas Marital Conflict Scale (KMCS) were used to collect data. These questionnaires were filled and pretest, posttest and followup were done in two months. Data were analyzed by Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance, chi-square, independent sample T test, and Bonferroni tests using SPSS-16 software. The significant level of the test was 0.05. RESULTS: The results of the data analysis between experimental and control groups of females in the marital conflict variable showed that the effect of time (p=0.002) and time and group interactional effect (p=0.001) were significant. Moreover, in both experimental and control groups of males, time effect was significant (p=0.01), but time and group interactional effect was not significant (p=0.14). Also, the results of the data analysis between experimental and control groups of females in the mental health and time effect was significant (p=0.001) and time and group interactional effect was significant as well (p=0.001). But in both experimental and control groups of males, time effect (p=0.71) and time and group interactional effect were not significant (p=0.60). CONCLUSION: Behavioral couple therapy can be used in the treatment of infertile couples, especially in women.