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Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. , dr.bayrami@yahoo.com
Abstract: (20 Views)
Background: The Gottman Trust Revival Method is an evidence-based approach that has emerged over recent decades as one of the most effective therapeutic interventions for rebuilding marital relationships following infidelity. Despite its well-documented efficacy in Western contexts, there remains limited empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness and cultural adaptation among Iranian couples who have experienced infidelity.
Aims: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Gottman-based trust revival couple therapy in enhancing emotional, sexual, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy among couples with a history of marital infidelity.
Methods:This study used an experimental single-case design with continuous assessment. Three couples with a history of marital infidelity were selected by convenience sampling from psychological clinics in Sanandaj (2025). The intervention included 13 sessions of Gottman couple therapy, held twice weekly for 90 minutes each. Assessments were conducted at baseline, during treatment, and one-month follow-up using the Bagarozzi Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (2001). Data were analyzed through visual analysis, the Reliable Change Index, effect size, percentage of improvement, and percentage of non-overlapping data.
Results: The Findings indicated that the greatest effects of the intervention were observed in emotional and sexual intimacy. Effect size indices across all dimensions of intimacy ranged from medium to large, and the percentage of improvement showed that the intervention enhanced emotional intimacy by 52.3%, sexual intimacy by 68.6%, intellectual intimacy by 47.9%, and spiritual intimacy by 31.5%.The reliable change further demonstrated clinically significant, effect of Gottman-based trust-rebuilding couple therapy on enhancing emotional, sexual, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy among couples.(PI ≥%50).
Conclusion: Couples who underwent the Gottman-based intervention reported substantial gains in various dimensions of intimacy. These findings suggest that the Gottman Trust Revival Model can be an effective framework for enhancing marital intimacy among couples who have experienced infidelity.
Aims: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Gottman-based trust revival couple therapy in enhancing emotional, sexual, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy among couples with a history of marital infidelity.
Methods:This study used an experimental single-case design with continuous assessment. Three couples with a history of marital infidelity were selected by convenience sampling from psychological clinics in Sanandaj (2025). The intervention included 13 sessions of Gottman couple therapy, held twice weekly for 90 minutes each. Assessments were conducted at baseline, during treatment, and one-month follow-up using the Bagarozzi Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (2001). Data were analyzed through visual analysis, the Reliable Change Index, effect size, percentage of improvement, and percentage of non-overlapping data.
Results: The Findings indicated that the greatest effects of the intervention were observed in emotional and sexual intimacy. Effect size indices across all dimensions of intimacy ranged from medium to large, and the percentage of improvement showed that the intervention enhanced emotional intimacy by 52.3%, sexual intimacy by 68.6%, intellectual intimacy by 47.9%, and spiritual intimacy by 31.5%.The reliable change further demonstrated clinically significant, effect of Gottman-based trust-rebuilding couple therapy on enhancing emotional, sexual, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy among couples.(PI ≥%50).
Conclusion: Couples who underwent the Gottman-based intervention reported substantial gains in various dimensions of intimacy. These findings suggest that the Gottman Trust Revival Model can be an effective framework for enhancing marital intimacy among couples who have experienced infidelity.
Article number: 2
Keywords: gottman trust revival, marital infidelity, emotional intimacy, sexual intimacy, intellectual intimacy, spiritual intimacy.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/11 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/08/23
Received: 2025/11/11 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/08/23
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