Effectiveness of emotional intelligence training program on marital satisfaction, sexual quality of life, and psychological well-being of women

Abstract

CONTEXT: Emotional communications play an important role in having a satisfying relationship and a more successful marriage. If marriage does not provide suitable conditions to satisfy couple's needs, not only it does not help to mental health but also results in negative and irreversible effects. AIMS: This research was performed with the aim of determining the impact of emotional intelligence training on marital satisfaction, sexual quality of life, and psychological well-being of women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present research is an experimental study conducted on 70 women referring to community health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2019. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sampling was performed using multistage cluster sampling. Before implementing the training intervention, the research instruments (general questionnaire, Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale, Iranian version of Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire, and World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index) were provided to the participants in order to complete them. All participants recompleted the instruments immediately and 1 month after the training intervention. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The significance level was considered as P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean scores of marital satisfaction in the control group had no significant difference before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention (P = 0.895). However, in the intervention group, over time, the mean scores of marital satisfaction increased (P = 0.001), and the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). The mean scores of sexual quality of life and psychological well-being had no significant differences before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention in the control group. However, in the intervention group, over time, the mean scores of sexual quality of life and psychological well-being firstly increased and then decreased (P < 0.001), and the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Training the components of emotional intelligence can be effective on enhancing marital satisfaction, sexual quality of life, and psychological well-being of women.