[Couples and Family Counseling]

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Today, nation of Saudi Arabia is facing two major threats to general health and welfare of its population. THE second threat posed by inadequate birth intervals and lack of planning family, threatened couple and health of children. Research has shown that Birth Spacing less than two years apart can compromise child's development and ability of mother's body to replenish nutrients necessary for pregancy. New evidence shows that birth intervals of three to five years, well above national averages in Saudi Arabia are healthiest options for mother and child. Clearly, efforts, both governmental and societal level are needed to address these challenges to health of population. Arab government and its people, however, face two major obstacles so that they can cope with these problems. One is that family counselling is still the relatively new concept in Arab world. Second is that in Saudi Arabia, any attempt to implement family counselling should take into account context of constructions of gender and family-centered social networks. Identity, if not value of many Arab partners is often determined by its ability to reproduce. May in some cases, mean the departure from primacy of motherhood attitudes toward population health, economic sustainability and social responsibility. Therefore, an important issue for Hashemite Kingdom maintained or not possibility of such positive change in family counselling practices of family exists in Saudi Arabia. In an attempt to answer this question, Arab Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Primary Health Care Initiatives (pHCI) support project, has launched the wide campaign to raise awareness of birth spacing and social acceptance of family counselling.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTIONVII

Backgroundvii

Rationaleix

CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEWXIII

Systems theoryxxvi

Crossover effectsxxvii

Couple agreementxxviii

Gender differences in agreementxxix

Work family conflict and organizational commitmentxxxi

Overview of relevant conceptsxxxiv

Adjustment and adaptationxxxiv

Adjustment domainsxxxv

Dyads and systemsxxxvi

Family Adjustment And Adaptation Response Modelxxxvii

Capacities: coping behaviorsxxxviii

Meaningsxxxviii

Elements of the family perspective on expatriationxxxix

Demand For Expatriate Familiesxli

Stressorsxli

Strainsxlii

Daily annoyancesxliii

Family capacitiesxliv

Coping behaviorsxlvi

Meaningsxlvii

Case Studyliii

United Arab Emirateslvi

Concerns Of Young Women UAEUniversitylix

EPIC Approachlxi

Integrated Model Advicelxvi

Caseslxvii

Summarylxxii

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGYLXXV

CHAPTER IV: RESULTS & DISCUSSIONLXXVIII

Findingslxxviii

Provider Perceptions: Experiences of Physicians and Pharmacistslxxxii

Couples and their stories: Case studies Fieldlxxxvi

Leila *lxxxvi

Salma *lxxxviii

Fatma *lxxxix

Discussionxc

The Modelxciv

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONSXCVI

Conclusionxcvi

Practical implications and strengthsxcviii

Limitations and directions for future researchc

Recommendationsci

REFERENCESCIII

APPENDIXCXXXVII

Couples and Family Counseling: Diagnosing the Current Approach And Proposing A Contemporary Approach to Meet Saudi Culture

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

Background

Planning for ongoing national campaign began in 2001 with funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Campaign, which features the cartoon boy called Sahhii “in the real environment information campaigns on Reproductive Health issues is taking place in three distinct phases. Given culturally acceptable time after marriage that can be spread knowledge of counselling ...