Effect of Two Couple Therapies, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy, on Forgiveness and Fear of Intimacy in Conflicting Couples

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Aceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and schema therapy on forgiveness and fear of intimacy in conflicting couples. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The participants were selected from the conflicting couples who were referred to counseling and psychological service centers in districts 1 and 5 of Tehran in 2019. Of the couples who scored high on the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale and obtained a low score on the Interpersonal Forgiveness Inventory, 30 couples (60 people) were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the schema therapy group (10 couples), the ACT group (10 couples), and the control group (10 couples). Then, the participants in each of the intervention groups attended eight 90-minute therapy sessions based on ACT and Schema therapy techniques. After the interventions, the participants in the three groups completed the questionnaires again and were followed up after three months. Results: The results showed that both ACT and schema therapy had a significant effect on fear of intimacy and forgiveness. Upon controlling the pre-test score, significant differences were found between the two ACT and schema therapy groups in terms of reconnection and revenge control (P<0.01), but the two groups were not significantly different in terms of resentment control, realistic perceptions, and fear of intimacy and schema couple therapy was more effective than ACT in controlling conflicting couples’ revenge and improving reconnection and this greater effectiveness was still retained in the follow-up phase. Conclusion: ACT and schema-based couple therapies can be used by psychologists and counselors as effective approaches to increase forgiveness and reduce fear of intimacy in couples. However, schema couple therapy is more effective than ACT in controlling negative emotions and treating them in couples.

Comparing the effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy and acceptance and commitment-based couple therapy on cognitive indicators (experiential avoidance and emotion regulation) in couples affected by extramarital relationships

“…One of the severe concerns reported by the couples participating in this research was the symptoms of marital incompatibility, disruption in proper communication styles, and lack of forgiveness. During the sessions, the subjects were helped to improve their couple functions by meeting each other's psychological needs such as security, partnership, consolation, and intimacy (Fani Sobhani et al, 2021). In the process of increasing positive experiences of couples with each other, positive feelings also returned to their relationship.…”

Effectiveness of a Premarital Counseling Program Based on Individual Psychology in Reducing Fear of Intimacy and Developing Social Interest: The Case of University Single Students

“…In addition to Adler-based programs in premarital counseling [45]. On the other hand, many programs can be directed toward psychological education because of the importance of a nity in romance with a partner [62] and reducing fear of intimacy [90,91].…”

"Let’s Talk About More Than Sex: Intimacy, Mental Health, and Psychological Flexibility After Cancer"

“…Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a behavioural therapy that focuses on increasing psychological flexibility (PF), which is the ability to make practical, values-based choices among many competing options (Fani Sobhani et al, 2021). The goal of ACT is not to alleviate symptoms but to improve a person's sense of well-being.…”

“…The fear or avoidance of intimacy is an obstacle to developing and maintaining close relationships. Couples who experience fear of intimacy are more likely to lose their ability to form relationships because they develop behaviours that oppose intimacy and emotional closeness (Fani Sobhani et al, 2021). According to relationship awareness theory, couples can maintain intimacy when one partner develops cancer by incorporating the diagnosis into their relationship (Manne & Badr, 2008).…”