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

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. 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. 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. 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.