The studies have shown that social psychologists have used narrative methods to test the hypothesis of the dynamics of close, intimate and kindly relationships between couples in order to improve family functions and promote intimacy. The subject of the present research is the effect of group narrative therapy on couples’ intimacy. The subject of the present research is that what effect does the group narrative therapy has on couples’ intimacy. The aim of study is to investigate the effectiveness of training based on group narrative therapy on the couples’ intimacy in the form of quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest and control group has been studied. The sample consisted of 16 volunteer couples of Shahrod university students selected and random assignment (8 couples in the experimental groups and 8 couples in control group and) was done. The experimental group participated in 9 sessions of group narrative therapy, (adapted from the Michael White and David Epstein’s Treatment Program, 1990) while the control group received no intervention. The couples of two groups completed in pre-test and post-test phases the Bagarozy intimacy needs questionnaire (2001). The results of analysis of covariance showed that compared with the control group, the group narrative therapy has increased significantly all subscales of intimacy (emotional, psychological, intellectual, sexual, physical, spiritual - religious, social - recreational, aesthetic) in couples of experimental group (p<0.01). In other words, narrative group therapy improved relationship and increased intimacy in couples.

Research shows that coronary heart disease is one of the main couses of death and disability in the world which reduces the useful efficacy of people. According to the background mental factors can affect on many aspects of life. Therefore if applying psychological interventions to adjust and improve the restrictions imposed into the lives of patients is essential? This study evaluates the efficacy of meta cognitive therapy on patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) in a semi- experimental design with control and experimental group and consists of pre and post testing. 30 members of Rajayi hospital were selected through convenience sampling and were divided into control and experimental groups by accident. After responding to couple communication patterns questionnaire, experimental group received intervention for 8 sessions about 2 hours every week. Control group did not receive any psychological therapy. The results show that this intervention has improved couple communication patterns significantly (0.001) among CHD patients. This means that training meta cognitive approach led to improvement of couple communication patterns in experimental group.

Background: Research has shown that acceptance and commitment-based therapy increases psychological flexibility and the treatment of Solution-oriented therapy changes the attitude and way of expressing references from talking about a problem to talking about a solution (Bakum 2008). Aims: The purpose of this research is effectiveness, Acceptance and commitment based therapy was based on the emotional regulation of couples in Tehran. Method: The research method was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest and follow-up with the control group the sample consisted of 45 couples who were referred to Parham Medical Advice Center who were selected by available sampling method and were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control. For the first group, treatment was based on acceptance and commitment, and for the second group, the solution-based treatment and the control group did not receive any training. The research was carried out with the help of the ERQ Grass and Jon (2003) emotional regulation Questionnaire. For analysis of data, repeated variance analysis was used. The results indicated the effect of education on emotional regulation (p<0.001) in experimental group couples compared to control group. The findings suggest that adherence-based treatment and decision-based solutions have affected the emotional order of couples and reduce their problems.

Background: In the literature of couples ' relationships, how couples deal with is dependent on how to assess the individual and the impact of the individual and their shared life as well as the attachment styles of each couple. One of the crucial variables in marital relations is the coping strategies with the tension factor. Aims: The current research was carried out with the aim of investigating the effects of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on Coping Strategies in Couples Referred to Tehran Counseling Centers. Methods: Method of research was semi-experimental (pre-Test, Post-Test, Follow-up) with control group. The study population included all couples who referred to counseling centers due to marital conflicts. Sampling was purposeful in which 30 couples, were selected, and randomly divided into two groups (15 couples each). Experimental group received 10 sessions EFCT once a week. After the end of the intervention, both the experimental and control groups were performed post-test in the studied variable and after two months, the follow up test was performed. Tool was coping strategies resources1989(CSR). Covariance& Repeated measures analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that the Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy reduced the emotional and inefficient coping strategies(P>0.05) and increased problem-focused coping strategies (P>0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the effect of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy in Couples Referred to Tehran Counseling Centers. has been effective also the results of the findings showed that there was no significant difference in gender variable in coping strategies between couples.

Background: Infidelity is one of the major challenges faced by involved couples and couples therapists. Forgiveness is one of the strategies that help betrayed women to minimize infidelity`s destructive effects. However, forgiveness is a global concept but the factors that shape it are different from one culture to other cultures. So the current research explore these factors by reviewing the betrayed women`s lived experience of forgiveness. Aims: understanding and explaining the experience of forgiveness in betrayed women. Method: This study was a qualitative one with the approach of phenomenology. Depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 people that forgive their partner`s infidelity and obtain 266.5 score and higher than in Enright forgiveness inventory. After the interview with the tenth person, the data was saturated and the sampling process stopped. Results: The seven steps Colizzi `s method was used to analyze data. The results of initial coding were associated with the formation of 82 semantic units, which, according to their commonality, were categorized into 14 subsample. Finally, these 14 subthemes were classified in three main themes as factors that focus on individual, factors that focus on spouse, factors that focus on marital relationship and external factors. Conclusions: It seems that relatively new findings can be found in terms of cultural context

Background: One of the marital abnormalities that causes psychological, inferiority and divorce is marital conflict, resulting in a lack of harmony between couples. The effectiveness of Emotion-focosed and Gottman's cognitive-systems approaches has been confirmed on various variables, but marital Harmony has been neglected. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and Gottman’s Systemic Couple Therapy on marital harmony in conflicting couples. Method: This research was a semi-experimental design with pre-test-post-test design with two experimental and one control groups. The statistical population of this study was all conflicting couples referring to counseling centers and private psychology in the 2nd and 5th areas of Tehran in 1397. From this community, 60 people were selected and randomly assigned to three groups (20 subjects): Trial 1 and 2, and the test. For each of the three groups, a questionnaire (Xu and lai, 2004) was used for pre-test, and then an emotional couple therapy program Johnson circuit was used for experimental group 1 and Gutmann System Couple Therapy for experimental group 2, but no intervention was used for the control group; the results were analyzed using covariance analysis at 5% level. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed that both excited and systemic couples had a significant effect on increasing the coordination of couples (p<0/001). The results of post hoc test showed that the efficacy of excited couple therapy was more than systemic paired therapy (p<0/001). Conclusions: It is possible to use an emotional-couple therapy couple therapy to improve marital coordination. 

Background: research refers to increasing number of couple referred to psychotherapy to treat emotional relationships and adjustment problems through couple therapy based on admission and commitment and emotional focused couple therapy. But could we compare the effectiveness of these therapies? One of the common reasons these days are referred to psychiatrists and psychologists is the problem of marriage and emotional relationships between spouses and therapist couples for this reason, it has become a very popular mental health professional common. Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Couple therapy based on admission and commitment and excitement therapy couple on stress and cohesion and improvement of adjustment in Tehran’s wives in 2019. Method: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test with control group. The study population consisted of spouses who referred to family counseling clinics in Tehran. Thirty couples were selected by purposive non-random sampling and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (10 couples each). The research tools were Spinier Adjustment questionnaire (1976), Antonovsky’s Consistency scale (1993) and Lovibond Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress-21 (1995). Two treatment protocols for the two experimental groups were performed in eight 90-minute sessions. Data analysis was performed using covariance. Results: The results showed that acceptance and commitment-based couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy were significantly effective on stress, cohesion and improvement of adjustment in spouses. Conclusions: interventions and protocols in counseling settings were effective for both treatment. 

Background: Family and couples may have difficulties in various functions and variables, including the basic psychological needs. Research has shown the effectiveness of structural family therapy on various variables, but the basic psychological needs of athlete couples have been neglected. Aims: This study was conducted aiming to determine the effectiveness of structural family therapy on satisfying the basic psychological needs of athlete couples. Method: This research was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with experimental group and control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all athlete couples of the city of Tehran in 2018. From this community, 40 couples were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to two experimental (20 couples) and control groups. Participants completed the Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (Gnieh, 2003). Then, the Minuchin Structural Therapy Family Intervention (2013) was administered to the experimental group but no intervention was performed for the control group. The data were analyzed by analysis of covariance. Results: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance and post hoc tests showed that structural family therapy had significant effects on satisfying the basic psychological needs of athletic couples and its components of self-efficacy, competence and relationship (p<0/001). Conclusions: Structural family therapy can be used to satisfy the basic psychological needs of athlete couples and thus improve the quality of life of couples. 

Background: Alexithymia is one of the factors that causes Maladjustment and conflict between couples. The effectivenss of couples therapy and acceptance therapy on various variables in couples' lives has been confirmed, but the key question is which therapy is more effective for maladjusted couples? Aims: To compare the effectiveness of couples therapy and acceptance therapy on the  Alexithymia of  Maladjusted couples. Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control group. The statistical population of the study included all  Maladjusted couples who referred to Shiraz Family Court in 2018. Ninety persons were Election from this population using the availability sampling and were randomly placed into three groups (each including 30 persons): Experimental group 1 and 2 and the control group. The instruments used to collect data were Acceptance therapy Protocol (Khanjani Vashki et al., 2016),and Behavioral Couple Therapy (Razavi Nematollahi et al., 2013), and Alexithymia Questionnaire (Torento, 1994). The pretest was performanced  to the  Questionnaire in all three goups. Then, the participants in the two experimental groups were exposed to the treatment including the couple therapy and Accepatance-based therapy but the members of the control group did not receive any intervention. The collected data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance.  Results: The results showed that couples therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy had a significant effect on the couples' alexithymia (P<0/001). There was a significant difference between the two therapies in terms of their effects on  alexithymia (P<0/001). Couple therapy was found to have a more  effect on reducing difficulty in emotion recognition, while acceptance therapy had a more effect on reducing difficulty in describing emotions (p<0/05). Only couple therapy was shown to have a significant effect on reducing objective thinking (p<0/05). Therefore, couple therapy had a more effect on decreasing  alexithymia. Conclusion: Couple therapy can be used to reduce alexithymia. 

Background: The focus of reality therapy interventions in working with couples, is to raise couple’s awareness of their needs and to help them meet each other’s needs. Having a valid instrument is needed to measure these basic needs based on their manifestations in terms of close relationship of the couples. Aims: The aim of the present study was to develop and examine psychometric properties of the couple’s basic needs assessment scale (CBNAS). Method: The present study was correlational study. 1049 married individuals (504 women, 545 men) were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The convergent validity was assessed by finding a correlation between the questionnaire of basic needs (Salari & Sahebi, 1383) and CBNAS. Results: the first half of the data was devoted to test the exploratory factor analysis and the second half of the data was devoted to test the confirmatory factor analysis. The exploratory factor analysis revealed the CBNAS comprises of five dimensions (security, love, power, fun, & freedom) and the result of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five dimensions. There was a strong correlation between the CBNAS and the questionnaire of basic needs, which supported the convergent validity for the the couple’s basic needs assessment scale (p<0/01, p<0/05). The reliability of the CBNAS demonstrated a good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha value of 0/90 and Test-retest value of 0/91. Conclusions: the CBNAS could be used as a reliable and valid scale in couple therapy among Iranian couples. 

Background: Family is the most important element in society and couples are the basis for forming and the kernel of families. A successful society treats couples and family tranquility as matters of utmost importance. If for any reason dissatisfaction and conflict are caused in marital relationships, it might set the basis for failure and anguish and phenomena like skepticism, emotional abuse, hostility and scolding and lowering the couples’ mental health, but could we increase their marital satisfaction and happiness using the emotion regulation based on cognitive-behavioral approach training package? Aims: The current research was conducted towards the goal of teaching emotion regulation abilities based on cognitive-behavioral approach and its effectiveness on marital satisfaction and couples’ happiness. Method: This is a semi-experimental research with single group pretest–posttest. The sample group was chosen as available so 66 persons of the couples (with 32.27 years average and standard deviation of 3.71 years) took part in 7 2 hours sessions of anger management workshop. These couples were chosen from parents of students in Tehran city private schools whom were available. This study was done as semi-experimental with single group pretest posttest.  In the workshops, we used the revised version of Fireworks Program (Smith, 2004).  Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, Martin & Crossland, 1989) and Hudson Index of Marital Satisfaction (1992) were used to collect the data. Results: Results of covariance analysis showed that training has significantly increased emotion regulation abilities, happiness and marital satisfaction. These difference are in such a manner that average of sample group has been increased in Happiness Inventory (p> 0/05) and in Index of Marital Satisfaction which higher score means more marital problems, has decreased (p> 0/05). Conclusion: This means teaching emotion regulation abilities is a proper way to reduce family conflicts and increase happiness in couples. 

Background: Marital commitment and its various dimensions are among the most important factors in the sustainability of a shared life. Much research has been done using paired therapeutic approaches of theory of choice, acceptance, and commitment, and coupled therapies. But which of these could be more effective? Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of couple therapy methods of selection, acceptance and commitment theory and coupled couples therapy in promoting couples' commitment. Method: The present study was a pilot study with pre-test and post-test design with one month control and follow-up group. The study population was all couples in Ardabil city in 2018. The sampling method was available, 60 couples whose scores on the Commitment Questionnaire were lower than the average were selected and randomly divided into four groups. The Adams & Jones (1997) Cognitive Commitment Inventory was used to evaluate and compare Glasser's group therapy (Abbasi Mollid et al, 2015) in 8 sessions of 120 minutes, one session per week on the 15 couples, acceptance and commitment based therapy (Hayes, 2006) A 2-hour session was conducted in 8 sessions per week on 15 couples and paired therapy (Feldman's, 1979) was conducted in 8 sessions in 1.5-hour sessions on 15 couples and covariance analysis was used to analyze the hypotheses. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups. This difference showed that there was a significant difference in the experimental groups in post-test (P<0/05) and follow-up (P<0/01) compared to the pre-test mean marital commitment scores and also the effectiveness of choice therapy education in couple therapy. Compared with the other two groups. Conclusions: From the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that couples therapy methods of choice theory, acceptance and commitment and couples therapy therapy have been effective in promoting couples' commitment.

 Background: Identification of Transdiagnostic treatments, given the high comorbidity of couples' life injuries, can be effective in preventing high medical costs and wasting time due to dealing with each of these injuries separately. But is Transdiagnostic Educational package, effective on couple communication patterns and secure transplantation? Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Educational package, on Communication patterns and Secure Bond of couples. Method: In this research, qualitative method was used in the first stage and in the second stage; a semi-experimental research was used including pre-test, post-test, unequal control group and follow up. The study population included all couples who referred to Isfahan Family Counseling Centers in Isfahan in 1396. 20 couples were selected who were selected through purposeful sampling and randomly replaced into experimental and control group. The research instruments included the Communication Patterns Questionnaire of Christensen and Salavi (1984) and the Secure Bond Questionnaire of Johnson (2008), also a researcher-made Transdiagnostic Educational package, (1398) was used for intervention. The data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that content training of the Transdiagnostic Educational package, had a significant effect on couple's communication patterns and secure transplantation (p<0/001). Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, training of the content of the Transdiagnostic Educational package of couples reduces withdrawal and avoidance expectation patterns and increases the constructive relationship and secure bonding pattern in couples.

Background: Marital Satisfaction is one of the greatest significant criteria for healthy family functioning that impairment can affect its performance for any reason, but the question is whether marital enrichment program can improve the quality of marital satisfaction or not? Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of marital enrichment program on improving quality of marital satisfaction of couples affected by trauma in the thirteenth district of Kabul city. Method: The design of this study was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest with control group. The statistical population consisted of all couples affected by the accident between the ages of 20 and 40 years in the thirteenth (13^th) district of Kabul city and the control group (couples) were assigned. Among them, 34 couples were selected as available sample and randomly assigned to two investigational and control groups (Experimental group 19 and control group 15 pairs). Inclusion criteria comprised age ranging from 20 to 40 years, at least diploma education, minimum one year of shared life, attending treatment sessions, no illness, and exclusion criteria include reluctance to continue research cooperation, missing more than 1 session, and participating in other treatment and counseling programs. The experimental group received 8 sessions of 100 minutes training package on marital enhancement and the Budenmen and Shantinath couples (2004) and the control group did not receive any intervention during this time. Subjects were assessed in the pre-test and post-test stages using the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire designed by Forz and Elson (1989).
Results: According to the follow-up results after one month, there was a significant difference between the test group and the control group regarding the quality of marital relationship. Its dimensions (p<0/001). Conclusions: The effectiveness of this program has improved the quality of marital satisfaction of couples affected by trauma and terrorist attacks.

Background: Ultimate Seeking is the factors that cause disorganized compromise and the difference between couples. The efficacy of couples therapy and acceptance based therapy on different variables in the lives of couples has been confirmed, but the main issue is that what therapy for couples is go undetected compromise? Aims: Comparing the effectiveness of couple therapy and acceptance-based therapy on the final of couples ' go undetected compromise. Method: The research was semi-experimental with pretest and posttest design with control group. The statistical population of the study included all couples compromise go undetected in Shiraz who referred to the family Court of Shiraz in 2018. Of this population, 90 people were selected as available and randomly divided into three groups (30 participants), 1, 2, and control. The tool includes acceptance-based treatment protocols (Khanjani, and the colleagues, 2016), Couples therapy (Razavi nemat Elahi et al., 2013), and the ultimate and Terry shorts questionnaire Karan, 1995). For three groups, the pre-test was performed, then intervention of couples therapy and acceptance-based therapy for two groups of experimental study, but for the control group, no intervention was applied. The results were analyzed by covariance analysis. Results: The results showed that there was a significant effect between behavioral therapy and acceptance-based therapy on the final of couples (p= 0/001). There was a significant difference between the two treatments in terms of final effect (P= 0/001). Therefore, acceptance-based therapy has a greater effect on the final reduction of negative seeking and final increase of positive seeking. (P<=0/05). Conclusions: it can be used for final reduction of negative seeking and final increase of positive seeking from acceptance-based treatment. 

Background: Emotional divorce and marital conflicts are the most risky factors in marital disputes. Also, psychological hardiness is an important component of personality and determines vulnerability to stress and family problems. Therefore, the question of the present study is whether psychological stubbornness can play a mediating role in the relationship between conflict control styles and emotional divorce? Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of psychological hardiness in the relationship between conflict control styles and emotional divorce in couples. Method: The study was a correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all couples who had referred to counseling centers in Kermanshah in 1396. 200 people were selected by voluntary sampling and available as sample. Research tools are: Ahwaz Hardiness Questionnaire (1998), Conflict Resolution Control Style Questionnaire (Murray & Strauss, 1990) and Emotional Divorce Test (Razegi, Ghobari Bonab & Mazaheri, 2008). Data were analyzed using Bartlett test and structural equations. Results: The role of psychological stubbornness in relation to conflict resolution styles and emotional divorce of couples is significant. There is a significant relationship between emotional couple of (p<0/01). Conclusions: It can be said that couples with higher psychological stiffness and conflict control skills experience less emotional divorce. 

Background: Critical thinking is a process that affects couples intimacy. But the question is: does critical thinking affect the psychological capital and intimacy of married men and women? Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of critical thinking training on increasing psychological capital and intimacy of married men and women in Tehran. Method: The design of this study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest with control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all couples who referred to counseling centers in Tehran 2 in order to resolve their marital problems. The sample consisted of 90 couples referring to counseling center who were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. The research was conducted with the help of Lutz et al. Questionnaire of psychological capital and parent's marital intimacy. Tools include McGee's Psychological Capital (2011), Parenting Marital Intimacy Questionnaire (2006), and Critical Thinking Educational Protocol: Fisher's Critical Thinking Educational Content (2005) and Myers (1986). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: Critical thinking training had an effect on psychological capital and marital intimacy of couples (p≥0/001).
Conclusions: Critical thinking training can increase psychological capital and marital intimacy of couples and therapists' families can use this educational method to improve the marital relationship of Iranian couples. 

Background: The effectiveness of emotionally-focused education on several psychological variables has been shown, but the impact of sexual intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness on couples with marital conflict has remained neglected; So, does emotion-focused education affect couples' intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness? Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of emotion-focused education on sexual intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness of couples with marital conflict. Method: In this study, a quasi-experimental method with pre-test and post-test with control group was used. Thirty couples were selected from the statistical population of couples referring to Tehran psychiatric clinics in district 1 and were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 couples. Research instruments included Interpersonal Forgiveness Questionnaire (2000), Sexual Assault of Battalni et al. (2010). The findings were finally analyzed using ANCOVA test. The Johnson Approach (2012) training was administered to the experimental group couples for 8 sessions. Results: The results of covariance showed that training with emotion-focused approach had positive effect on increasing sexual intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness of couples with marital conflict (p≤0/001). Conclusions: Based on this, it can be said that education with an emotionally oriented approach can be effective and can help counselors and psychotherapists to improve sexual intimacy and interpersonal forgiveness of couples. 

Background: Infertility has been recognized worldwide as a stressful, critical and threatening experience of personal, marital, family and social stability throughout the world and across cultures. But the key question is, does emotion-focused therapy affect perceived social support and the loneliness of infertile couples? Aims: The effect of emotion-focused couple therapy on perceived social support and loneliness in infertile couples. Method: This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design with control group. The statistical population consisted of infertile couples referring to private centers for women and infertility in Qom in the second half of 2015 and the first half of 2016. Thirty couples were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly divided into two groups (15 couples) and control (15 couples). Research instruments include the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (Zimet, Dahlm, Zimet & Farley, 1988), the Adult Social Emotional Loneliness Scale (Ditomas, Bernen & Bast, 2004) and the Johnson Couple Training Program (2004). Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that emotion-focused couple therapy significantly increased the mean scores of perceived social support variable and its subscales (friends support, family support and support). Specific individuals) in the test group (P<0/05). The results also showed that the mean of post-test scores of variable sense of loneliness and its subscales (romantic loneliness, family loneliness and social loneliness) were significantly different in the experimental and control groups (P<0/05). Conclusions: Couple-based training in emotion-focused therapy improved perceived social support in couples and reduced their sense of loneliness.