مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Comparison of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Enhancement of Marital Satisfaction and Sexual Intimacy in Couples Referring to Counseling Centers

Author/Authors :

Rahimi ، Ameneh Department of Psychology and Counseling - Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch , Amiri ، Hasan Department of psychology and Counseling - Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch , Afsharriniya ، Karim Department of psychology and Counseling - Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch , Arefi ، Mokhtar Department of psychology and Counseling - Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch

Abstract :

Background and Objective: The assessment of young couples marital relationship has received considerable attention in recent years. The present study aimed to make a comparison between the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the enhancement of marital satisfaction and sexual intimacy in couples referring to counseling centers in Khorramabad, Iran. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pre-posttest design with a control group. For the purpose of the study, a total of 60 couples were selected out of the couples who referred to the counseling centers in Khorramabad due to marital disorders in 2018, using volunteer sampling technique. The couples were randomly assigned into three groups of ACT, CBT, and control, each of which contained 20 cases. The data collection tools included the ENRICH marital satisfaction inventory and Battalion sexual intimacy scale. Before the commencement of the intervention (i.e., independent variable), the three groups were provided with two questionnaires (pre-test stage). Thereafter, the intervention groups received eight two-hour sessions of either ACT or CBT. On the other hand, the control group did not receive any training. Upon the completion of the training sessions, marital satisfaction and sexual intimacy were assessed in the three groups (post-test stage). The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using the multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The obtained results were indicative of the significant effect of both treatments on the enhancement of marital satisfaction (P 0.001) and sexual intimacy (P 0.001) in couples. Moreover, it was found that CBT exerted a more profound effect on marital satisfaction and sexual intimacy, compared to ACT. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, it can be concluded that both CBT and ACT were effective in the promotion of marital satisfaction and sexual intimacy among couples. Nonetheless, CBT demonstrated more dramatic effects, compared to ACT.