Efficacy of a Gestalt “Here and Now” Intervention for Marital Distress and Co-Existing Psychological Symptoms: Evidence from a Kenyan Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a Here-and-Now Gestalt-based intervention in reducing marital distress and related psychological symptoms among married individuals in Kikuyu Town, Kiambu County, Kenya. It specifically assessed whether a structured six-week, twelve-session program could improve marital adjustment, enhance emotional well-being, and reduce depression and alcohol-related risks. Marital distress is an emerging psychosocial and public health concern in Kenya, contributing to emotional disconnection, relationship dissatisfaction, and increased risks of depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse. Access to culturally responsive counseling remains limited, and many existing interventions are based on Western models that may not adequately reflect African relational values and emotional processes. Despite the potential relevance of experiential approaches such as Gestalt therapy, there is limited empirical evidence supporting their effectiveness in Kenyan marital contexts. This highlights the need for culturally grounded, evidence-based interventions. A quasi-experimental repeated-measures design was used to evaluate the intervention among 86 participants (43 experimental; 43 control) experiencing marital distress. Assessments were conducted at baseline, midline, and post-intervention using standardized tools: the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data were analyzed using independent-samples t-tests, repeated-measures MANOVA, linear mixed models, and difference-in-differences estimators. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant authorities. Findings showed that the intervention led to significant improvements across all outcomes. Compared to the control group, participants in the experimental group demonstrated increased marital adjustment and reduced depressive symptoms and alcohol-related risks. Statistical analyses confirmed significant Time × Group effects (p < .001) with large effect sizes, while control group outcomes remained largely unchanged. The study concludes that the Here-and-Now Gestalt-based intervention is effective in improving marital and psychological outcomes. It recommends integrating culturally responsive, experiential therapies into Kenya’s mental health and family policy frameworks, expanding access to services, and strengthening community-based support systems.