The Impact of Integrated Narrative Therapy and Imagotherapy on Marital Expectations in Marriage Volunteers

Abstract Introduction: Given the importance and necessity of marital life and the need to improve its quality and satisfaction, applying psychological interventions such as narrative therapy and imagotherapy can be an important step in facilitating this important process. Aim: the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the combined approach of narrative therapy and imagotherapy on marital expectations in marriage volunteers. Methods: The research method is experimental with pre-test, post-test with experimental and control groups. The statistical population of this study was all girls and boys volunteering for marriage who were selected by convenience sampling method from referring to counseling centers in Borujerd in 2018. The intervention lasted 3 months. Therapeutic interventions were administered to the experimental group during 12 training sessions. The Omidvar Marital Expectations Scale (2009) was used for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24 software. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance on the mean post-test of marital expectations (P < 0.01 and F = 115.22) in the experimental and control groups after the pre-tests were significant. Combined approach therapy based on narrative therapy and imagotherapy is significantly effective on marital expectations of marriage volunteers. Conclusions: According to the findings, it can be stated that the integrated approach based on narrative therapy and imagotherapy will have a positive effect on the level of attitudes and expectations of girls and boys volunteering for marriage.