The effectiveness of Bowen and McMaster model intergenerational therapy-based education on anxiety, self-efficacy and self-control of men and women on the verge of divorce

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Bowen intergenerational treatment and compare it with McMaster model on anxiety, self-efficacy and self-control of men and women on the verge of divorce.

The present study was a quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest with two-month control and follow-up group; The statistical population of the present study was men and women referring to counseling centers in District 6 of Tehran in 1399. After screening with the Zank Anxiety Inventory (1971), 45 men and women were selected by convenience sampling method and in the intergenerational experimental groups of Bowen (15 people). The experimental group of McMaster model (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15) were randomly replaced. Both experimental groups underwent Bowen (1981) and Maxmaster (2007) intergenerational interventions for eight 90-minute sessions, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The research instruments were Scherer and Maddox (1982) General Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Tanji, Bamster and Boone (2004) Self-Control Questionnaire and the data were analyzed using repeated measures mixed variance analysis.

The results showed the effect of Bowen intergenerational intervention on anxiety score (F = 5.73, P = 0.024), self-efficacy (F = 6.16, P = 0.019) and self-control (F = 9.24). P = 0.005) and Maxmaster model intervention on anxiety score (F = 5.25, P = 0.030), self-efficacy (F = 7.96, P = 0.009) and self-control (F = 8.56). P = 0.007) and the stability of this effect was in the follow-up stage.

The results of the study suggest evidence that the intergenerational intervention of Bowen and Maxmaster model is a suitable method to increase self-efficacy and self-control as well as reduce anxiety in men and women with marital conflict and on the verge of divorce.