Efficacy of PAIRS Group Psycho-Education on Marital Satisfaction of Pregnant Women

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) program on pregnant women’s marital satisfaction. This semi-experimental research was organized in a pretest-posttest design with control group. The sample of the study included 24 couples expecting child who had scored low in ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. These couples were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group (12 couple each). Before intervention, both groups were assessed. The experimental group received Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills Program training for 8 sessions; while the control group did not receive any intervention. After the training sessions, posttest was administered for both groups and the data was analyzed through covariance analysis. Findings showed that PAIRS training has been effective on pregnant women’s marital satisfaction in a way that this program has helped general satisfaction increase and it has reduced the marital conflicts. Incorporating of this package in pregnancy care centers’ prenatal care programs may improve marital satisfaction in couples expecting child and it consequently helps women mentally prepare for childbearing.