The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Couple Therapy on Hope, Dyadic Coping, and Relationship Resilience among Couples Facing Economic Stress
Keywords:
Solution-Focused Couple Therapy, Hope, Dyadic Coping, Relationship Resilience, Economic Stress, Couples, Marital Relationships, Family Therapy, Strengths-Based Intervention, Psychological AdaptationAbstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Couple Therapy (SFCT) on hope, dyadic coping, and relationship resilience among couples experiencing economic stress. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up assessments using a control group. The statistical population consisted of married couples experiencing significant economic stress in Toronto, Canada. Forty couples (80 individuals) meeting the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (20 couples) and a control group (20 couples). The experimental group participated in eight weekly 90-minute sessions of Solution-Focused Couple Therapy, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Adult Hope Scale, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Relationship Resilience Assessment Scale. Data analysis was conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS version 29. The results of repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant effects of time, group, and Time × Group interaction for all dependent variables. For hope, significant effects were observed for time (F = 51.84, p < .001), group (F = 42.27, p < .001), and Time × Group interaction (F = 64.18, p < .001, η² = .451). Dyadic coping also demonstrated significant time (F = 58.73, p < .001), group (F = 47.91, p < .001), and interaction effects (F = 71.26, p < .001, η² = .477). Similarly, relationship resilience showed significant effects for time (F = 62.54, p < .001), group (F = 50.16, p < .001), and Time × Group interaction (F = 75.83, p < .001, η² = .493). Bonferroni comparisons indicated significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up for all variables (p < .001), while no significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up assessments (p > .05), indicating maintenance of treatment gains over time. The findings demonstrate that Solution-Focused Couple Therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing hope, dyadic coping, and relationship resilience among couples facing economic stress. By emphasizing strengths, future-oriented goals, and collaborative problem-solving, the intervention enabled couples to develop adaptive psychological and relational resources that persisted beyond the treatment period. These results support the application of solution-focused approaches as an evidence-based strategy for promoting relational well-being and resilience among couples confronted with financial adversity.
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