THE IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION INTERVENTIONS ON RECONSTRUCTING INTIMACY IN COUPLES WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A META- ANALYSIS

The presence of a child with special needs within a family system introduces unique stressors that can significantly strain the marital relationship, often leading to a decline in dyadic intimacy. Effective communication serves as a cornerstone for relational resilience and intimacy reconstruction. This meta-analysis investigates the efficacy of various communication-based interventions on marital intimacy among couples parenting children with special needs, synthesizing research published between ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۵. A systematic search of Google Scholar, PubMed, and Persian databases (SID, Magiran) identified eight primary studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Data from ۴۰۲ participants were analyzed using a random-effects model. The results revealed a significant positive effect of communication interventions on marital intimacy (Hedges' g = ۱.۰۰۸, ۹۵% CI [۰.۷۱۳, ۱.۳۰۳], p < ۰.۰۰۱). Significant heterogeneity was observed (I-squared = ۵۱.۸۷%), suggesting that intervention modality and cultural context may moderate outcomes. Subgroup analysis indicated that structured communication skills training and solution-focused approaches were particularly effective. These findings underscore the critical role of targeted relational support in enhancing the well-being of families facing the challenges of disability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Marital Intimacy ، Effective Communication ، Special Needs Children ، Meta-Analysis ، Couple Interventions ، Relational Resilience