Effects of a Marital Relationship Enrichment Program on Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Marital Satisfaction in Multicultural Couples

부부관계 증진 프로그램이 다문화가정 부부의 의사소통, 갈등해결 및 결혼만족도에 미치는 효과

  • Yeun, Young-Ran (Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Yang, Soo (College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea)
  • 연영란 (가톨릭대학교 대학원) ;
  • 양수 (가톨릭대학교 간호대학)
  • Published : 2012.09.30

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of a marital relationship enrichment program on communication, conflict resolution and marital satisfaction in multicultural couples. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test design was used. Participants were sampled from couples registered at 2 local centers and 2 multicultural family support centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Sixteen pairs each were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received the marital relationship enrichment program for 120 minutes/session/week for 6weeks. Data were analyzed using $x^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and t-test for subject homogeneity verification, and ANCOVA to examine the hypotheses. Results: Communication and marital satisfaction increased significantly after the program in experimental group compared with control group. Among conflict solution styles, collaborating and compromising increased and avoiding decreased significantly after the program in the experimental group. Competing decreased significantly after the program for wives in the experimental group. Accommodating did not change significantly in either experimental or control groups. Conclusion: Results of the study confirm that marital relationship enrichment programs are effective in promoting multicultural couples' communication and marital satisfaction, and causing positive changes in conflict resolution.

Keywords

References

  1. Ahn, J. H., & Cho, J. H. (2011). Psychosocial and cultural predictors of acculturative stress among marriage immigrant women in the Chungcheongnam-do area of Korea. Korean Journal of Family Social Work, 32 , 137-176.
  2. An, H. J. (2006). Home violence experiences of immigrant women who married a Korean man through international marriage and those women's reaction to the violence. Unpublished master's thesis, Silla University, Busan.
  3. Bienvenu, S. M. J. (1970). Measurement of marital communication. Family Coordinator, 19, 26-31.
  4. Butterworth, P., & Rodgers, B. (2008). Mental health problems and marital disruption: Is it the combination of husbands and wives' mental health problems that predicts later divorce? Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 43, 758-763.
  5. Byun, M. H., & Kang, K. J. (2010). Factors of married couples influencing the marital satisfaction of wives in multicultural families. Korean Journal of Family Welfare, 15, 127-141.
  6. ENRICH KOREA. (2005). PREPARE/ENRICH counseling Manual. Seoul: Author.
  7. Hong, D. A. G., & Chae, O. H. (2006). Family life and conflicts of female international marriage migrant. Korean Journal of Human Ecology, 15, 729-741.
  8. Hudson, W. W. (1992). The WALMYR assessment scales scoring mannual. Tempe, AZ: WALMYR Publishing Co.
  9. Im, G. H. (2004). Study on the social welfare alternatives for the problems of interracial marriages. Unpublished master's thesis, Daegu University, Daegu.
  10. Jeffrey, J. W., Rene, L. R., & Scott, C. R. (2004). Divorce and children's adjustment problems at home and school: The role of depressive/withdrawn parenting. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 35, 121-142.
  11. Jon, M. K. (2005). A research and study on the actual life's condition of Korea foreign housewives. Unpublished master's thesis, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul.
  12. Jung, H. M. (2010). Domestic violence against immigrant women and its preventing system. Ewha Journal of Gender and Law, 1, 71-102.
  13. Kang, L. L. (2010). Effects of ENRICH program on self-esteem, depression, marital communication, conflict solution styles and marital adjustment in low-income couples. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul.
  14. Kim, H. S. (2004). The development of marital education program for conflict couples. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kyungsung University, Changwon.
  15. Kim, H. S. (2011). Impacts of social support and life satisfaction on depression among international marriage migrant women in Daegu and Kyungpook area. Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 20 , 188-198.
  16. Kim, I. S. (2007). Social work with families & healing spirituality. Seoul: Hakmun Publishing.
  17. Kim, S. G., Kim, Y. G., Cho, E. J., Kim, H. R., Lee, H. G., & Seul, D. H. (2010). 2009 An investigation of multicultural families. Seoul: Ministry of Gender Euality & Family.
  18. Knudson, R. M., Sommers, A. A., & Golding, S. I. (1980). Interpersonal perception and mode of resolution in marital conflict. Interpersonal Perception and Social Psychology, 38, 751-763.
  19. Kong, S. S. (2005). A marital relationship enrichment program for couples: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 35, 991-1003.
  20. Kwon, B. S., & Cha, B. H. (2006). The impact of communication and cultural identity on marital satisfaction among Kosian housewives in rural areas. Korean Journal of Social Welfare, 58, 109-134.
  21. Shin, G. H., & Yang, S. E. (2006). Marital conflicts of intermarried families in Korea. Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association, 44 (5), 1-8.
  22. Sin, H. C., & Choi, J. A. (2011). The development and effectiveness of a marital counseling program for multi-cultural families in urban areas. Korean Psychology Association International Conference 2011, 186.
  23. Son, J. Y., & Baik, K. I. (2008). The efficiency of couple program for marriage immigrant family in Gyeongju. Gyeongju Study, 17 (2), 5-34.
  24. Song, S. H., & An, H. J. (2011). Experience of child-rearing of filipino married immigrant women. Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 20 , 167-179.
  25. Statistics Korea. (2011). Vital statistics of immigrants in Korea. Daejeon: Author.
  26. Thomas, K. W., & Kilmann, R. R. (1974). The Thomas-Kilmann conflict mode instrument. Tuxedo, NY: XICOM.
  27. Uhm, D. C. (2010). Effects on couples' communication, intimacy, conflict and quality of life by foot massage between immigrants. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 40, 493-502.
  28. Whitton, S. W., Rhoades, G. K., Sanely, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2008). Effect of parental divorce on marital commitment and confidence. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 789-793.
  29. Won, Y. H. (2004). The development and effect of training programs to improve the relationship of married couples with physical disabilities. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kyungsung University, Busan.
  30. Yoo, M. S. (2010). Effects of a multi-cultural marital advocacy program based on empowerment model on self-esteem, selfefficacy, coping way and family stress in multi-cultural couples. Journal of Korean Society of Maternal Child Health, 14, 145-160.