Marital Satisfaction of Iranian Deaf Women: The Role of a Life Skills Training Program

Abstract

Given that marital satisfaction and the factors influencing it are of high importance among deaf women, the present study aimed to examine the impact of life skills training on the marital satisfaction of deaf women in the Iranian Deaf Association (IDA). A multiple-baseline, single-case experimental design was conducted. The statistical population consisted of all deaf women in the IDA during 2014-2015. A total of 3 deaf women who met the inclusion criteria were selected using a purposeful sampling method. They participated in a 9-session life skills training program for 45 minutes a week. The instrument used in the present study was the 47-item version of the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS). The data from repeated measures was processed using the trend comparison charts, and the clinical significance of the data was determined using the recovery rate formula. The results from the trend comparison charts, recovery rate formula, and visual analysis showed that the life skills training improved the marital satisfaction of the samples. According to the study findings, it can be concluded that life skills training improves the marital satisfaction among deaf women. Therefore, the method used in the present study can be recognized as an appropriate method in psycho-educational interventions for strengthening family foundation and improving marriage durability of deaf couples at the beginning of marriage.