Effect of Gottman's Couple-oriented Counseling on Marital Satisfaction of Infertile Couples in an Infertility Center: A Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Background: Infertility presents significant emotional and psychological challenges for couples, often impacting marital satisfaction. This study investigates the efficacy of Gottman’s couple- oriented counseling in enhancing marital satisfaction among infertile couples. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in 2020, 60 infertile couples were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention group participated in eight sessions of couple-focused counseling based on the Gottman Method and GATHER principles, while the control group received standard psychological counseling. Both groups completed the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire and a demographic survey before the intervention and four weeks after the final session. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA for between-group comparisons, paired t-tests for within-group changes, and independent t-tests for between-group differences, with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: The intervention group exhibited significant improvements in marital satisfaction. Women’s mean scores increased from (150.18 ± 7.23) pre-intervention to (157.38 ± 7.23 )postintervention, (p = 0.001). Men’s mean scores also rose significantly, from (153.22 ± 8.07) to (158.51 ± 8.07), (p = 0.02). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: Gottman’s couple-oriented counseling significantly enhanced marital satisfaction among infertile couples, with a more pronounced effect in women. This intervention fosters emotional connection and support, making it a valuable tool for improving relationship quality during infertility treatment. Trial Registration: IRCT20120215009014N368