A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive – Behavioral Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Couple Therapy in the Couple’s Conflict in the City of Isfahan

Abstract

Background: Marriage is a social process that forms the basis and principle of human communication. In many couples, primary positive feelings decrease in time and are replaced by severe conflicts. What is of high importance is the couples' reaction to these problems. Their ability to apply problem-solving skills can be a factor in the improvement of the couples' relationship. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest design and control group was applied. The statistical population included all conflicted couples referring to consultation centers in the city of Isfahan in 2016. The subjects were recruited in voluntary form. The experimental groups included a group of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) (15 couples) and another group of acceptance and commitment couple therapy (ACT) (15 couples). Both groups received 12 ninety-minute sessions of therapy once a week. 15 couples were put into the control group. The study instruments were a questionnaire on demographic features and Barati and Sana'ie's questionnaire of marital conflicts. In order to analyze the data, besides descriptive statistical methods, COVARIANCE analysis was used in SPSS. Results: The results revealed that cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and acceptance and commitment couple therapy made significant changes in conflict decrease at the posttest stage (P < 0.0001). Also, comparing therapeutic groups implied that there is a significant difference between cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and the control group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, comparison of acceptance and commitment couple therapy group with the control group showed significant differences (P < 0.0001). Comparing cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and acceptance and commitment couple therapy implied that there is no significant difference between the effects of these two therapeutic methods at the posttest stage (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results, cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and acceptance and commitment couple therapy made significant changes in conflict decrease at the posttest stage and there was no significant difference between the effects of these two therapeutic methods at the posttest stage. Therefore, the present study provides experimental support for both therapies in order to decrease the marital conflicts.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Hypochondriasis and Psychosocial Adjustment in Divorced Women

“…Third-wave psychotherapies [cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs)] emphasize issues such as mindfulness, emotions, acceptance, relationships, values, goals, and metacognition. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is considered to be a component of third-wave CBTs and includes therapies such as integrated mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy and behavioral couple therapy (11). ACT is one of the new cognitive-behavioral interventions that comprise the four approaches of mindfulness, acceptance, commitment, and behavior change.…”

Comparing the Effects of Emotion-focused Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Marital Conflict and Emotion Regulation

“…On account of ACT investigations, these processes enhance psychological flexibility. In turn, it increases the satisfaction and quality of the marital life, also decreases marital conflicts with a constant impact (Arabnejad et al, 2014;Khanjani Veshki, Shafiabady, Farzad & Fatehizade, 2016). The effects of ACT were evaluated in studies, such as Khanjani Veshki et al (2016), Kavousian, Haniffi & Karimi (2017), as well as Khanei, Jazayeri, Bahrami, Montazeri & Etemadi (2018).…”

“…In turn, it increases the satisfaction and quality of the marital life, also decreases marital conflicts with a constant impact (Arabnejad et al, 2014;Khanjani Veshki, Shafiabady, Farzad & Fatehizade, 2016). The effects of ACT were evaluated in studies, such as Khanjani Veshki et al (2016), Kavousian, Haniffi & Karimi (2017), as well as Khanei, Jazayeri, Bahrami, Montazeri & Etemadi (2018). These studies revealed that ACT significantly decreased marital conflict and enhanced marital satisfaction.…”

“…sipour, Norouzi Kouhdasht, Mohammadi, Azari & Norouzi (2018), Havaasi, Zahra Kaar & Mohsen Zadeh (2018), Naghdi Hatami, Kayamanesh & Navobinejad (2017), Beasley & Ager (2019), Najafi, Soleimani, Ahmadi, Javidi & Hoseini Kamkar (2015), SolymaniAhmadi et al (2014),Priest (2013),Khanjani Veshki et al (2016),Amani et al (2018), as well asFarahanifar, Heidari, Davodi & Aleyasin (2019).…”