The Effectiveness of Emotional Self-Control Training on Managing Interpersonal Conflicts and Problem-Solving Strategies Among Women with Marital Problems

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional self-control training on managing interpersonal conflicts and problem-solving strategies among women with marital problems.

The research was a semi-experimental with pretest-post-test design with control group and follow-up study. The statistical population of the study was 300 women with marital problems, that 34 people according to their high grades in marital conflict questionnaire (MCQ)and low grades in emotional self-control index were selected as samples and  Based on demographic variables (age, education, economic status, duration of marriage, number of children), they became homogeneous, and randomly placed in two groups as experiment (n=17) and control groups(n=17).The experiment group was trained in eight 75-minute sessions base on the Gross emotional regulation protocol, and the control group did not receive any training. Data collected with interpersonal conflict management styles (ROCI-II) and problem solving questionnaires (PSS) and analyzed with Multi-covariance analysis (MANCOVA).

The results indicated that by controlling the pre-test grades, the difference between grades of experiment and control groups was meaningful among integrated conflict styles, avoiding, dominant and compromising except required conflict solution styles. The difference between experiment and control groups in problem solving styles (constructive and non-constructive) was meaningful, too. Results related to the effect of emotional self-control on conflict resolution styles and problem-solving methods persisted in follow-up studies.

Based on the findings of this research, emotional self-control education has an impact on managing interpersonal conflicts and problem-solving strategies, accordingly.