The Effectiveness of the Self-differentiation Training Based on the Bowen Theory on Marital Satisfaction

Marital satisfaction is a basis of other social organization health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the self-differentiation training based on the Bowen Theory to increase marital satisfaction.

The research method was semi-experimental and the pre-test-posttest design with the control group. In this intervention, the population of this study was selected by the convenience sampling method and 38 married women were randomly assigned to the experimental (n= 12) and control (n= 12) groups in Tehran in 2018. The Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) and Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) were completed by married women. The control group received no training. The intervention included 10 sessions of self-differentiation training based on the Bowen theory. Twelve women participated in this semi-experimental project selected by convenience sampling as an experimental group and twelve women as a control group. The brief couple-based therapy was taught in 10 sessions based on techniques of Bowen therapy and four components of differentiation. The data were analyzed by SPSS v. 23 software. 

There was a significant difference between the post-test scores of the experimental and control groups. In addition, training based on the DST approach could significantly increase marital satisfaction (t= 21.62, df= 22, P<0.001).

The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental group. Therefore, the training could significantly increase the self-differentiation of married women. These findings can be used to design interventional programs to improve conflict, adaptation, intimacy, and marital satisfaction of the couples.