A Comparison of Gestalt and Relationship Enhancement Treatments With Married Couples

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1981

Description

Thirty-six couples were randomly assigned to a Relationship Enhancement or to Gestalt Relationship Facilitation treatment. Each small-group treatment was conducted 2Vi hours a week for 12 weeks. There were significant gains for the participants in both groups on all variables studied: marital adjustment, communication, trust and harmony, rate of positive change in the relationship, relationship satisfaction, and ability to handle problems. Relationship Enhancement participants achieved greater gains than Gestalt Relationship Facilitation participants in communication, relationship satisfaction, and ability to handle problems. The gains found—especially for the Relationship Enhancement treatment on these three variables, but for the other variables in both treatments as well—are viewed as valid and treatment specific.

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