couple therapy

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of schema-focused couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy on marital offense forgiveness in couples with marital discrepancies in Ilam city. Method: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The study population comprised 105 couples who sought counseling in Ilam during the second half of the year 2021. From this population, 30 couples were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: emotion-focused intervention (10 couples), schema-focused intervention (10 couples), and a control group (10 couples). The emotion-focused group received Johnson's training package (2012) over 9 sessions, and the schema-focused group received the Young, Klosko, & Weishaar package (2003) also over 9 sessions. The control group did not receive any intervention. The research instrument used was the Marital Offense Forgiveness Scale by Paleari, Regalia, and Fincham (2009). Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: Schema-focused couple therapy had a significant effect on marital offense forgiveness (F = 5.85, p = .025). Emotion-focused couple therapy also had a significant effect on marital offense forgiveness (F = 5.81, p = .045). These effects were reported to be stable at the follow-up stage. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of schema-focused couple therapy versus emotion-focused couple therapy on marital offense forgiveness. Conclusion: Both schema-focused and emotion-focused couple therapies are effective methods for enhancing marital offense forgiveness in couples with marital discrepancies.

Objective: This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of therapist-assisted couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy on psychological well-being, negotiation enhancement, and aggression reduction in women victims of spousal violence. Methods: The study was applied, field-based, and quasi-experimental, employing a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The sample consisted of couples attending counseling and psychotherapy centers in Qom during the second half of 2021. Out of these, 45 couples were randomly assigned after entry criteria control into three groups: emotion-focused treatment group (15 couples), therapist-assisted treatment group (15 couples), and a control group (15 couples). The research tools included the Strauss et al. (1979) Conflict Tactics Scales and the Ryff (1989) Psychological Well-Being Scales, which were administered to the female victims in three phases: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The emotion-focused group received Johnson’s (2003) training package over nine sessions, and the therapist-assisted group received Aghayousefi et al.’s (2020) training package over eight sessions. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS software version 26. Findings: Results showed that both emotion-focused and therapist-assisted couple therapies significantly reduced aggression (F = 90.30, p < .001), increased negotiation (F = 64.47, p < .001), and enhanced psychological well-being (F = 103.81, p < .001) in the female victims of spousal violence, with these effects maintained at follow-up. However, the emotion-focused therapy package was more successful in improving psychological well-being, negotiation, and reducing aggression than the therapist-assisted therapy package. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both emotion-focused and therapist-assisted couple therapies are effective interventions for resolving conflicts and improving psychological well-being.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couple Therapy (ACT) on communication patterns and marital infidelity among married individuals in Yazd. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental. The population consisted of all married individuals attending psychological counseling and service centers in Meybod. Using questionnaires on communication patterns and marital infidelity, and employing purposive sampling, 20 couples with higher scores were selected from a pool of 50 couples. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (10 couples) or the control group (10 couples). The experimental group underwent Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while the control group received no treatment. Post-tests were administered to both groups. Results, analyzed using covariance analysis. Findings: Findings showed that Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couple Therapy significantly impacts the communication patterns of married individuals. Additionally, it significantly affects marital infidelity among married individuals. Conclusion: Thus, ACT can be used to enhance couple’s relationship and prevent infidelity and divorce.