THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MARITAL WELL-BEING THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR MANAGING MARRIAGE CRISES IN MALAYSIA: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Povzetek

Marital crises, including financial issues, domestic violence and abuse, infidelity and many other issues affecting married couples in Malaysia. This study tested the effectiveness of marital well-being therapy intervention on couples facing a marital crisis. The study sample involving 30 married couples from Rembau, Seremban, and Labu districts was obtained from Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (MAINS). This is a quantitative study using a quasi-experimental method by conducting pre- and post-tests on the treatment and control groups to examine the mean difference before and after undergoing the intervention. The data collection method involved two questionnaires, namely the Marital Happiness Inventory and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 software involving paired sample T-tests. The results showed a significant increase in marital happiness and satisfaction for the treatment group following the MEKAR intervention. Analysis of the Marriage Happiness Inventory data from the pre-test (M = 56.07, SD = 2.87) and post-test (M = 67.17, SD = 2.036), t (29) = -78.409, p < .001) while for the Marital Satisfaction Inventory pre (M = 139.93, SD = 13.941) and post-test (M = 213.07, SD = 5.546), t (29) = -12.215, p < .001). Overall, the study shows the effectivenes of the intervention module in enhancing the levels of happiness and marital satisfaction among couples facing a marital crisis. As such, the module could be included as one of the interventions for use by stakeholders such as family institutions, religious departments, and government agencies in strengthening the institution of marriage and promoting the well-being of households in this country.