The Effectiveness of Group Couples Therapy Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Couples' Marital Satisfaction and Adjustment

Mohaddeseh Abbasi; Zohreh Abbasi

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i1.18926

Mohaddeseh Abbasi Master of Science Department of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
Zohreh Abbasi Assistant Professor Department of General Psychology, Tolo Mehr University, Qom, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i1.18926

Keywords: Group couples therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral, CBT, Marital satisfaction, Marital Adjustment, Couples

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the importance of marital adjustment in the stability and sustainability of the family, and at the same time, the mental health of spouses and children, researchers have not focused on identifying the factors affecting couples' satisfaction and adjustment. While improving the level of marital satisfaction and adjustment leads to the strengthening of the family and the continuation of cohabitation. Cognitive behavioral strategies are effective in reducing conflicts and improving marital satisfaction and adjustment; therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of group couple therapy based on the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach on marital satisfaction and adjustment of couples.

Methods: The present study was an experimental pre-test and post-test study with a control group. The research population consisted of married individuals with marital problems and conflicts who referred to Farhan Counseling Center in Qom in2023, who were selected through purposive sampling and then randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups based on the entry and exit criteria. The measurement tools were the Spiner Marital Adjustment Questionnaire and the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire. 60people were randomly divided into two groups of 30 people, and the experimental group received10 therapy sessions in a group setting once a week. The duration of the sessions was 90 minutes.

Rusults: Analysis of variance test was used to examine the effectiveness of group couple therapy based on CBT approach on marital satisfaction and adjustment. The results showed that group couple therapy based on CBT approach had an effect on marital satisfaction and adjustment. The effect of treatment implementation on each of the dependent variables was also examined. The results showed that in the post-test phase, group couple therapy based on CBT approach had an effect on marital satisfaction and adjustment compared to the control group(P<0/05).Thus, group couple therapy based on CBT approach increased marital satisfaction and adjustment.

Conclusion: According to the results obtained, it is suggested that group couple therapy based on the CBT approach be used to increase marital satisfaction and adjustment of married individuals.