The effectiveness of integrative couple therapy via Diamond method on marital harmony and parenting competence after the birth of first child

Recent studies have suggested a decline in mental health after the birth of a first child. Yet parents’ mental health is linked positively to wanting and to having additional children. The aim of present study was the effectiveness of Integrative Couple Therapy via Diamond method on marital harmony and parenting competence after the birth of first child in couples of Ahvaz in 2018. Three couples with single child less than 3 years were selected using purposeful sampling. Multiple baseline experimental single case study was used as the method of the present study. Integrative couple therapy via Diamond method was carried out in three phase of baseline, intervention and follow-up and participants completed the marital harmony scale and parenting competence scale. Data analyzed with visuals inspection, reliable change index (RCI) strategies and improvement percentage. The integrative couple therapy via Diamond method had significant effect in increasing of marital harmony (%26.48 improvement) and parenting competence (%30.02 improvement). Results showed that the Integrative Couple Therapy via Diamond method can be effective in transition to parenthood and family therapists can use this intervention to improve marital relationship in Iranian`s couples