New approaches in education and health sciences management

New approaches in education and health sciences management

Comparing the effectiveness of Bowen's systemic therapy and Minuchin's structural therapy on marital commitment and improving communication patterns of couples with conflict in Mashhad

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamid seraj kermani 1
Mehdi Ghasemi Motlagh 2
Barat Ali Ghavami 3
1 گروه مشاوره، واحد قوچان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، قوچان، ایران
2 2. Department of Psychology, Boj.C., Islamic Azad University, Bojnord, Iran
3 Department of Counseling, Qu.C., Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran
10.22034/edus.2026.581288.1098
Abstract
Introduction and Objective: The use of effective family therapy approaches, including Bowen systemic therapy and Minuchin structural therapy, can play an important role in improving couples’ relationships and enhancing marital quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Bowen systemic therapy and Minuchin structural therapy on marital commitment and communication patterns of couples with conflict.

Method: This semi-experimental study with a pre-test–post-test design, with a control group and one-month follow-up, was conducted. The statistical population included all conflicted couples referring to counseling centers (Dr. Hokmabadi, Lifestyle, Farhikhtegan, Rah-e Sabz, Rasa) in Mashhad during summer (July to September 2024). Using convenience sampling, 18 couples were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (12 participants per group). Data were collected using the Adams and Jones (1997) Marital Commitment Questionnaire and the Christensen and Sullaway (1984) Communication Patterns Questionnaire. Bowen systemic therapy (1978) intervention was conducted in 8 two-hour sessions, and Minuchin structural therapy intervention was conducted in 9 weekly two-hour sessions. To examine between-group differences, multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance was used.

Findings: Results showed that Bowen systemic therapy and Minuchin structural therapy were effective on marital commitment and communication patterns in conflicted couples. Also, no significant difference was observed between the effectiveness of Bowen systemic therapy and Minuchin structural therapy on marital commitment, while a significant difference was found in communication patterns of conflicted couples regarding demand/withdraw and mutual avoidance patterns.

Conclusion: Overall, findings indicated that family therapy interventions based on systemic and structural approaches can, by improving family interactions, increasing couples’ awareness of dysfunctional communication patterns, strengthening responsibility and mutual commitment, and enhancing communication skills, play an important role in reducing marital problems and improving the quality of couples’ relationships.
Keywords
Bowen Systemic Therapy
Minuchin Structural Therapy
communication patterns

Ethics Approval ID: IR.IAU.BOJNOURD.REC.1404.029  

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New approaches in education and health sciences management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 June 2026

  • Receive Date 25 February 2026
  • Revise Date 10 May 2026
  • Accept Date 18 June 2026