Maher Institute Inc Iranian Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 3115-848X In Press 2026 09 01 The Effectiveness of Gottman Model-Based Marital Skills Training on Marital Disillusionment, Emotional Empathy, and Relationship Maintenance Strategies in Women Applying for Divorce The Effectiveness of Gottman Model-Based Marital Skills Training on Marital Disillusionment, Emotional Empathy, and Relationship Maintenance Strategies in Women Applying for Divorce 1 10 EN Majid Yousefi Afrashteh Department of Psychology ، University of Zanjan ،Zanjan، Iran Journal Article 2026 02 01 <p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Gottman model-based marital skills training on reducing marital disillusionment and improving emotional empathy and relationship maintenance strategies among women applying for divorce.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure, a two-month follow-up phase, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of women applying for divorce who referred to family counseling centers affiliated with the judiciary in Hamedan during 2025. Using convenience sampling, 30 eligible participants were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (15 participants in each group). The experimental group participated in nine weekly 90-minute sessions of Gottman model-based marital skills training, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data collection instruments included the Marital Disillusionment Scale, the Emotional Empathy Scale, and the Relationship Maintenance Strategies Measure. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in IBM SPSS Statistics.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>The results of repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the interaction effect of time and group was significant for all dependent variables. Gottman model-based training significantly reduced marital disillusionment, F(1, 28) = 19.404, p &lt; .001, η² = .401, and significantly increased emotional empathy, F(1, 28) = 32.614, p &lt; .001, η² = .529, and relationship maintenance strategies, F(1, 28) = 31.524, p &lt; .001, η² = .521. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons further demonstrated that participants in the experimental group showed significantly lower marital disillusionment and significantly higher emotional empathy and relationship maintenance strategies during the posttest and follow-up phases compared with the control group (p &lt; .05). The stability of results at follow-up indicated the durability of the intervention effects over time.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest that Gottman model-based marital skills training is an effective intervention for improving interpersonal functioning and reducing relational distress among women applying for divorce. </p> https://www.maherpub.com/index.php/jndd/article/download/837/720