The Efficacy of Pre-marital Counseling Based on Motivational Interviewing on Couples’ Knowledge, Attitude and Intention to obtain Genetic Counseling

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc Student in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Lecture, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behaviroal Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Mashhad, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Human Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Mashhad, Iran

5 a) Associated Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2024.78127.2327

Abstract

Background & aim: Knowledge of and attitude toward genetic diseases are poor, and few at-risk couples seek genetic counseling. The current research was conducted to determine the efficacy of premarital counseling based on motivational interviewing on couples’ knowledge, attitude, and intention to obtain genetic counseling.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 69 eligible couples who attended the health centers of Mashhad, Iran, between May and July 2023 . The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received premarital counseling based on motivational interviewing during three  individual sessions, each lasting 60–90 minutes, with one week interval. Both groups, in addition to receiving usual care, completed Knowledge questionnaire, Zaien modified attitude questionnaire , and genetic counseling intention questionnaire before and  two weeks post-counseling .  Data were analysed with Chi-square, independent t, and Mann-Whitney tests using SPSS software.
Results: The changes in the mean score of pre and post intervention knowledge in the intervention and control group were 10.25±9.13 and 3.61±6.28, respectively, which shows a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Also, the mean attitude score after the intervention was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Additionally, after the intervention, 70.6% in the intervention group and 45.7% in the control group intended to receive genetic counseling (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The motivational interviewing improve knowledge, attitude, and intention of couples to obtain genetic counseling. Therefore, this approach can be used for genetic counseling in pre-marriage counseling.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 5181-5191

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