Title: Effect of Couples Schema Therapy (ST-C) on modification of early maladaptive schemas and decreasing tendency to divorce

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 PhD Student of Counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Exceptional Children Education, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Evidences show that the ways in which couples perceive, interpret and evaluate each other and the events that occur in their relationship have a significant impact on the quality of their relationships. The purpose of this study was determining effect of Couples Schema Therapy (ST-C) on modification of Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) and decreasing tendency to divorce among divorce applicant couples.An experimental study in the form of Single-Subject Design (SSD) carried out. Population were consisted of self-referential or referred couples to counseling centers as well as counseling center of Justice Department that three couples were selected using purposive sampling method. Couples Schema Therapy (ST-C) conducted on 20 sessions with two months follow-up. To collect data, demographic checklist, Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), and questionnaire of tendency to divorce used. Data were analyzed using visuals analysis, improvement percentage, and Percentage of Non-overlapping Data (PND), Percentage of Overlapping Data (POD), Reliable Change Index (RCI), and Cohen index.Results showed thatCouples Schema Therapy (ST-C) modified early maladaptive schemas and decreased tendency to divorce among divorce applicant couples and this modification and this decrease was clinically and statically meaningful (RCI > 1.96, p < 0.05). Modification of severity of early maladaptive schemas and reduction in the tendency to divorce was also remained after two months and changes were clinically and statistically meaningful (RCI > 1.96, p < 0.05).According to positive effects of Couples Schema Therapy (ST-C) on modification of early maladaptive schemas and reduction of tendency to divorce among divorce applicant couples, the aforementioned treatment appeared to be likely useful in changing of early maladaptive schemas and reduction of tendency to divorce.

Keywords


 
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