The Effect of Islamic Spiritual Empathic Dialogue Training on Reducing Components of Marital Disenchantment (Physical, Emotional, and Psychological Burnout) in Spouses Referring to the Family Court Counseling Center

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 MSc student of Counselling, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and psychology, Olum Tahghighat University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Extended Abstract
 
Introduction and Objectives: Marital disenchantment arises from a combination of unrealistic expectations, irrational beliefs, and the ups and downs of married life. It is a state of physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion that results from a significant discrepancy between one’s expectations and the realities of marital life. Marital disenchantment refers to the gradual decline of emotional attachment to one’s spouse and is accompanied by feelings of alienation, lack of interest, and indifference between partners, as well as the replacement of positive emotions with negative ones. In a disenchanted marriage, one or both spouses experience a sense of disconnection from their partner and a reduction in mutual interest and communication, along with considerable concern about the progressive deterioration of the reationship and movement toward separation and divorce.
Symptoms of disenchantment include a general lack of enthusiasm, dissatisfaction, emotional exhaustion, emotional numbness, and reduced interest. Disenchanted individuals may feel that, despite making considerable efforts, they rarely achieve the outcomes they desire. They may become angry more quickly than usual and feel that they have lost their capacity for enjoyment and sense of humor.
Islamic empathic dialogue is a method that teaches spouses how to first establish a healthy and constructive relationship with themselves and then with their spouse. Through this approach, spouses are trained in skills that help them reduce conflicts and resolve their problems without quarrelling or shouting. Within the framework of Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue, spouses, by acknowledging divine supervision and the spiritual value of their relationship, learn to regulate their anger and emotions and communicate with each other on the basis of logic and rationality. In this communication style, individuals acquire the skills of forgiveness and forbearance and respond to each other with understanding and empathy. Undesirable patterns of behavior are addressed and corrected through learning new relational behaviors. This approach serves as a tool for self-knowledge and for learning how to communicate effectively with others.
The present study aimed to examine the effect of Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue training on reducing marital disenchantment and its dimensions among spouses referring to the Family Court Counseling Center in Khorramabad.
Method: This study employed an experimental design with a pretest–posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of 87 spouses from the city of Khorramabad who had referred to the Family Court Counseling Center. The Marital Disenchantment Questionnaire was administered to all spouses who visited the center during the specified period. Spouses whose marital disenchantment scores were one standard deviation above the mean were selected, yielding approximately 59 spouses. From this group, 30 spouses were randomly chosen as the study sample. Ultimately, the sample was randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group (15 spouses) and a control group (15 spouses).
The data collection instrument was Pines’ Marital Disenchantment Questionnaire (CBM). After administering the pretest, the experimental intervention (Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue training) was implemented for the experimental group over nine sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Following completion of the training program, the posttest was administered, and a follow-up assessment was conducted one month later.
Results: The findings indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p < 0.001). In other words, Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue training led to a statistically significant reduction in marital disenchantment and its components in the experimental group compared to both the pretest scores and the control group. These effects remained significant at the follow-up stage. Based on the obtained results, all four research hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue training in reducing marital disenchantment and its dimensions among spouses referring to the Family Court Counseling Center in Khorramabad were confirmed.
Discussion and Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue training is effective and satisfactory in reducing marital disenchantment and its dimensions. The results of the MANCOVA analysis supported the main research hypothesis. Furthermore, the findings are consistent with previous studies in this field.
To explain these findings, it can be argued that conflict is inevitable when spouses in a close relationship attempt to satisfy their needs. Clear and constructive dialogue is essential for resolving such conflicts. Although poor communication may be a consequence of marital conflict, the absence of effective information exchange can itself delay the resolution of interpersonal tensions. In many cases, poor communication and marital dissatisfaction reinforce one another.
Previous research suggests that training in effective communication skills can help spouses establish a healthy, reciprocal, and functional relationship that promotes personal and relational growth, while preventing the development or persistence of destructive negative emotions in marital life. Such training also assists spouses in conflict resolution, avoiding dysfunctional relationship patterns, reducing hopelessness, anger, feelings of worthlessness, depression, and frustration, and enhancing empathy and mutual understanding of each other’s needs and desires. Ultimately, these skills increase commitment to maintaining the marital relationship and reduce tension and disappointment.
The findings also indicated that the Islamic spiritual empathic dialogue approach was effective and satisfactory in reducing physical burnout among spouses. In explaining this result, Satir viewed communication as an overarching umbrella encompassing all human interactions and influencing them profoundly. According to her, individuals are shaped within an extensive network of communications from birth onward. Satir maintained that in dysfunctional families, members often speak in the first-person plural (“we”), send vague and indirect messages, and respond in stereotypical ways. Family therapists emphasize that individuals should adopt “I” positions when expressing their feelings. “I-statements” involve personal and responsible expression of emotions and encourage others to share their perspectives. Such communication fosters congruence and alignment, allowing for authentic and genuine expression of feelings, needs, and desires within an appropriate context. Consequently, self-esteem and self-worth are enhanced, communication improves, and stereotypical behaviors decrease.
Acknowledgments: The authors sincerely thank the participating spouses, the Family Court Counseling Center of Khorramabad, and all individuals who contributed to this research.
Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Keywords

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