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Volume 25, Issue 159 (5-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(159): 1-20 |
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Sohrabi A, Asadimajre S, Moghtader L. (2026). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couple Therapy on Self-Differentiation and Marital Burnout in Couples on the Verge of Divorce. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(159), : 12 doi:10.61186/jps.25.159.12
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3233-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3233-en.html
Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. , Samereh.asadi@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (289 Views)
Background: Low self-differentiation and high marital burnout are core, interrelated problems in couples on the verge of divorce. However, the comparative efficacy of modern psychological interventions in simultaneously improving these two variables has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study compares the impact of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on these outcomes.
Aims:This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on self-differentiation and marital burnout among couples on the verge of divorce.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a three-month follow-up and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all couples seeking services at the Shiva Counseling Center in Tehran during the first six months of 2024. From 91 screened couples, 33 were randomly assigned to three groups (11 couples each). The experimental groups received Johnson's (2004) EFCT and Gharat's (2012) ACT, respectively, in nine 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998) and the Marital Burnout Questionnaire (Pines, 1996). Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS-26.
Results: The results indicated that both interventions significantly improved self-differentiation and reduced marital burnout (p<0.05). However, EFCT demonstrated significantly higher efficacy compared to ACT (p<0.004). The effect size for EFCT was significantly larger for both self-differentiation (η² =0.684) and marital burnout (η²=0.782). The effects of both interventions remained stable at the three-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Based on the results, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy can be recommended as a preferred intervention for couples on the verge of divorce in counseling centers and psychological service settings. By focusing on emotional authenticity and attachment, this approach can effectively enhance self-differentiation and reduce marital burnout, thereby helping to prevent the escalation of conflicts and the occurrence of divorce.
Aims:This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on self-differentiation and marital burnout among couples on the verge of divorce.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a three-month follow-up and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all couples seeking services at the Shiva Counseling Center in Tehran during the first six months of 2024. From 91 screened couples, 33 were randomly assigned to three groups (11 couples each). The experimental groups received Johnson's (2004) EFCT and Gharat's (2012) ACT, respectively, in nine 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998) and the Marital Burnout Questionnaire (Pines, 1996). Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS-26.
Results: The results indicated that both interventions significantly improved self-differentiation and reduced marital burnout (p<0.05). However, EFCT demonstrated significantly higher efficacy compared to ACT (p<0.004). The effect size for EFCT was significantly larger for both self-differentiation (η² =0.684) and marital burnout (η²=0.782). The effects of both interventions remained stable at the three-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Based on the results, Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy can be recommended as a preferred intervention for couples on the verge of divorce in counseling centers and psychological service settings. By focusing on emotional authenticity and attachment, this approach can effectively enhance self-differentiation and reduce marital burnout, thereby helping to prevent the escalation of conflicts and the occurrence of divorce.
Article number: 12
Keywords: Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Self-Differentiation, Marital Burnout, Divorce
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/25 | Accepted: 2025/12/28 | Published: 2026/05/9
Received: 2025/11/25 | Accepted: 2025/12/28 | Published: 2026/05/9
References
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