An Investigation into the Effects of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on Decrease of Marital Conflict in Drug Abuse Patients

Abstract

This is a semi-experimental study into the effects of methadone maintenance treatment on decrease of marital conflicts in patients referred to addiction treatment centers. Sixty patients from among those referred to a Tehran treatment center in a 6-month period were selected and subsequently distributed into the test and control groups (each group consisting of 30 patients). The control group patients were those who, for any reason, had refused methadone maintenance treatment. The research tools included the marital conflict questionnaire (MCQ). A Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.734 was obtained for the marital conflict test scales. The statistical methods used included the covariance analysis test and Levine test for independent groups. Upon the SPSS analysis of the research data, the following results were obtained :As compared with the control group, the patients who had undergone methadone maintenance treatment suffered fewer cases of marital conflict (p=0.005, F=8.461). With respect to marital conflict subscales, this effect was reported as follows: The “increased cooperation†subscale had a significant effect (p=0.024, F=5.405). The “increased sexual relations†subscale had no significant effect (p=0.600, F=0.279). The “decreased emotional reactions†subscale had a significant effect (p=0.000, F=15.173).The “decreased drawing of support from children†subscale had a significant effect (p=0.005, F=8.583).The “increased personal relations†subscale had a significant effect (p=0.000, F=47.848).The couple’s “non-separation of financial affairs†subscale had a significant effect (p=0.000, F=19.101). The “increased family relationships with in-laws and friends†subscale had no significant effect (p=1.0, F=2.361).