Behavioral marital bibliotherapy: An initial investigation of therapeutic efficacy

The present study reports an attempt to validate a self-help behavioral marital bibliotherapy program. Five clinical distressed couples were evaluated via a multiple baseline analysis. Dependent measures included both pre-post and continuous forms of assessment. Treatment involved the weekly introduction of both reading and exercise material. Topics included communications, problem solving, sexual dysfunction, maintaining relationship gains, etc. With the exception of a decrease in laboratory-assessed negative behaviors, results were highly variable and generally reflective of minimal change. These findings were discussed with regard to measurement failure, manipulation of the independent variable, and continued examination of marital self-help materials.