Effectiveness of Self Regulation-Attachment Couple Therapy on Marital Commitment and Sexual Function of Women with Extramarital Affair

Fatemeh  Shiri; Mahmoud   Goudarzi; Omid   Moradi; Hamzeh  Ahmadian

doi:10.18502/qjcr.v20i78.6780

Fatemeh Shiri PhD. Student in Counseling, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Mahmoud Goudarzi Assistant Professor, Department of Family Counseling, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Omid Moradi Assistant Professor, Department of Family Counseling, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
Hamzeh Ahmadian Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/qjcr.v20i78.6780

Keywords: Self regulation-attachment, marital commitment, sexual function

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self regulation-attachment couple therapy on improving marital commitment and sexual function in women with extra-marital affair.

Methods: Semi-experimental research method with pre/post-test and control group including follow-up was used. The statistical population included women with extramarital affair referred to the counseling center for women in the city of Sanandaj, Iran. Using available sampling method, 30 subjects were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants each). Marital Commitment Questionnaire (Adams, Jones, 1997) and Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (Rosen, Grandon, Myers, Hutty, 2004) were used. The intervention group received self regulation-attachment couple therapy through 8 ninety-minute sessions on a weekly basis. Data was analyzed using mixed analysis of variance.

Findings: Results showed that self regulation-attachment couple therapy programs significantly improved the marital commitment and sexual function. Follow-up analyses showed that these results remained stable after three months (P<0/001).

Conclusion: self regulation-attachment couple therapy approach by helping women achieve greater adjustment in relationship, dialogue and negotiation, increasing the ability to interact and improve the marital commitment and sexual function in women with extramarital affair.

Discussions: The findings of the present study show that studying counseling and internship in this field has influenced students’ views of marriage and marital relationships in various ways.