Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Buin Zahra Branch, Islamic Azad University, Buin Zahra, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Buin Zahra Branch, Islamic Azad University, Buin Zahra, Iran.
3 M.A., Head of Education and Research Department, General Directorate of Sports and Youth of Qazvin Province, Qazvin, Iran.
Abstract
The present study aims to assess and explain the effectiveness of marriage counseling services and educational workshops provided by counseling centers licensed by the Ministry of Sports and Youth on the quality of relationships and marital life of young couples. The initial research design was intended as a mixed-methods (quantitative-qualitative) study. However, due to limited participant engagement and an insufficient sample size for statistical analysis, the quantitative phase was omitted, and the study proceeded with a qualitative approach based on descriptive phenomenology. The research population consisted of young couples who had utilized marriage counseling services and educational workshops over the past two years. Out of 189 eligible couples, 21 couples participated voluntarily through convenience sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews focusing on themes such as general experience of counseling, perceived changes in marital relationships, the impact of workshops on communication skills, and facilitators or barriers to service effectiveness. All interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi’s seven-step method concurrently with data collection until conceptual saturation was achieved. To ensure trustworthiness and rigor, Lincoln and Guba’s criteria (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability) were applied. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw, were strictly followed. By explaining the dimensions of couples’ lived experiences regarding formal counseling and educational services, the findings of this study provide an evidence-based foundation for policy-making, strategic planning, and enhancing the quality of marriage counseling services at a national level.
Keywords
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