Improving Family Functioning with Social Skills Training: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Study

To examine the effectiveness of social skills training on enhancing family functioning among married individuals.

Methods and Materials:

 Employing a quasi-experimental design, this study involved 30 married individuals visiting a private counseling center, divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received an 8-week social skills training program focused on improving communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation within marital relationships.

Results indicated significant improvements in family functioning scores for the experimental group, as compared to the control group, both immediately following the intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. The analysis of variance with repeated measurements underscored the positive impact of social skills training on enhancing family dynamics.

Social skills training emerges as a viable intervention for improving family functioning among married couples, suggesting its potential inclusion in marital counseling services to foster healthier family relationships.