Marital therapy in groups. A comparative evaluation of behavioral and interactional formats

A comparative evaluation was conducted in a community mental health center between two types of brief, marital therapy in groups. The experimental group of four couples was exposed to behavioral methods based on social learning principles. The primary interventions were (1) training the spouses in discriminating and monitoring the occurrence of pleasing events and behaviors; (2) behavioral rehearsal of communication skills using prompting, modelling, feedback, and "homework" assignments; and (3) contingency contracting. The comparison group of five couples was led in an interactional format with the leaders encouraging ventilation of feelings, problem-solving through discussion, and mutual support and feedback. Both groups were led by the same three clinicians. Outcome was measured on multiple levels before, during and immediately after treatment. Follow-up assessments were conducted at one, two, and six months after treatment. Response measures included the self report by clients on marital satisfaction; on consumer satisfaction with the treatment experience; on their observations of pleasing behaviors given and received as recorded on wrist counters; and direct observation of client via "live" time-sampling and coding of videotapes of problem-solving discussions before and after treatment. Results showed few differences between groups on the self-report measures; however, there were significant improvements by both groups on these measures after treatment which were maintained into the follow-up evaluation. The direct observational data indicated that the members in the behavioral group displayed significantly more positive and mutually supportive verbal and nonverbal behaviors in their interaction as a result of treatment.