JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Marital satisfaction can be defined as the attitude a person has toward his or her marital relationship. Sexual life quality is considered as one of the cornerstones in the quality and continuity marital relationships.

Objective:

This paper outlines a protocol for an experimental study which compares the effectiveness of group-based online marital relationship enrichment interventions called ‘my soul’ and ‘self-care’ for adult men.

Methods:

A randomized controlled trial with pre-test, four and 12-week follow-up is proposed. A total of 100 participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel conditions including my soul and self-care group. The training sessions for the “my soul” group focus on the core components of marital enhancement such as the importance of skills teaching in marital relationships, establishing effective communication, physiology, anatomy and function of sexual, and reproductive organs, skills in sexual relationships, and sexual health. Regarding the self-care group, the sessions will be focused on 1) education in marital relationships, different cycles, behavioral patterns, recognizing relationship problems, 2) identifying communication problems (not paying attention to feelings, inappropriate behavior, financial conflicts), how to handle arguments, concluding a treatment contract, 3) recognizing unrealistic beliefs and expectations, productive and unproductive behaviors, and overcoming old habits, 4) recognizing thoughts and emotions and interactive cycles, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts, how to express requests with emotions, 5) keeping love and dynamics alive in the relationship, understanding women and men (differences and similarities), and 6) answering common questions about marital life. The sexually related competencies and the quality of marital life will be measured at three different times.

Results:

This is the first evidence-based local study to examine a culturally tailored marital life enhancement intervention for adult males and fill a research gap in the existing interventions. The results can provide new knowledge for a group-based intervention and be considered for adults in Iran and different parts of the world. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of “my soul” and “self-care” marital relationship enrichment packages tailored to the quality of marital life and sexual behaviors of adult men. The results can be presented to policymakers, decision-makers, and health providers for implementation at a national level.

Conclusions:

This is the first evidence-based local study to examine a culturally tailored marital life enhancement intervention for adult males and fill a research gap in the existing interventions. The results can provide new knowledge for a group-based intervention and be considered for adults in Iran and different parts of the world. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of “my soul” and “self-care” marital relationship enrichment packages tailored to the quality of marital life and sexual behaviors of adult men. The results can be presented to policymakers, decision-makers, and health providers for implementation at a national level. Clinical Trial: (Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) number): IRCT 20220418054583N1 Date of registration: September 17,2022.