Coupled fixed point theorems for generalized symmetric Meir--Keeler contractions in ordered metric spaces

In this paper we introduce generalized symmetric Meir-Keeler contractions and prove some coupled fixed point theorems for mixed monotone operators $F:X \times X \rightarrow X$ in partially ordered metric spaces. The obtained results extend, complement and unify some recent coupled fixed point theorems due to Samet [B. Samet, \textit{Coupled fixed point theorems for a generalized Meir-Keeler contraction in partially ordered metric spaces}, Nonlinear Anal. \textbf{72} (2010), 4508-4517], Bhaskar and Lakshmikantham [T.G. Bhaskar, V. Lakshmikantham, \textit{Fixed point theorems in partially ordered metric spaces and applications}, Nonlinear Anal. TMA \textbf{65} (2006) 1379-1393] and some other very recent papers. An example to show that our generalizations are effective is also presented.