Education’s effect on the empowerment of volunteers about couples communication skills in East Tehran’s Health Center

Background and Aims: Communication and relationship skills in people’s lives, especially in the context of marriage are important as the other aspects of the marriage are over. Previous studies have shown that couples improve communication skills, increase intimacy in their marriage and will reduce conflicts. The main objective of this program is to use an active education system to upgrade the knowledge and strengthen skills of health Volunteers. This study aimed to determine the effect of education on couples’ communication skills ability in East Tehran Health Center volunteers. Materials and Methods : This research is a quasi-experimental study in which 112 people from the health care facility in East Tehran Center were selected randomly and studied as a sample in two different test and control groups. At the first meeting the questionnaires were distributed and completed between both groups. The results were analyzed based on experimental programs using methods including role playing, and group discussion for 4-weeks training. A month after the questionnaires were completed and returned by both groups the results were analyzed using descriptive and experimental methods including Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests at a significance level (p u003c0.05). Results : Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the mean scores of empowerment before and after in group. Also significant differences were found in empowerment scores in the area of cognitive distortions, listening, anger management and problem solving(pu003c0.001) and the problem solving skills showed the greatest increase. Conclusion : Holding communication skills trainings would have potential impacts on health and is desirable, therefore, it is recommended to perform educational programs to empower volunteers’ ability. Key words: Education, Empowerment, Health volunteers, Couples’ communication skills