The Effectiveness of Emotionally Focus Therapy Based on Emotional Management Strategies on Improving Marital Satisfaction

Fatemeh Birak; Farideh Dokaneifard; Pantea Jahangir

doi:10.18502/qjcr.v22i85.12541

Fatemeh Birak PhD Counseling Student, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Counseling, Islamic Azad University, Roodehen Branch, Roodehen, Tehran, Iran.
Farideh Dokaneifard PhD Counseling, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Counseling, Roodehen University, Tehran, Iran
Pantea Jahangir PhD Counseling, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Counseling, Roodehen University, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/qjcr.v22i85.12541

Keywords: Emotion management strategies, Couple therapy, Marital satisfaction

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching emotion management strategies based on Emotional Focus Therapy approach on improving marital satisfaction.

Methods: The present study is a quasiexperimental study. The statistical population of this study consisted of all couples who referred to counseling centers in Saadatabad region in Tehran during the year 2021. For sampling, all couples interviewed were selected through convenient sampling and had referred to Amin Pajooh and Binesh Counseling Centers. After conducting an interview based on marital self-disclosure, 47 couples were identified as conflicted, all of whom volunteered to attend treatment sessions. Among them, 32 couples were randomly assigned to the experimental group (16 couples) and the control group (16 couples). To test the hypothesis, analysis of covariance was done using SPSS-22 software.

Findings: According to table 4-11, the proportion of F covariance analysis for family functioning (P=0/001 and F=26/2) and for marital satisfaction (P=0/001 and F=37/3) were obtained. The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in marital satisfaction during pre-test, post-test and follow-up. Eta squared size shows that 31% of intra-group changes can be explained by receiving training in emotion management strategies on marital satisfaction.

Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be said that emotion management strategies have an effect on marital satisfaction. As a result, this training can be used in couple therapy interventions.