The Effect of Enrichment Training based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Communication Patterns and Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Couples

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Ph. D. of FamilyCounseling and Psychotherapy. Degree: Associate Professor of Family Therapy, University of Kurdistan

2 M A of Family Counseling, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

Abstract

Background: The family system can reduce the sufferings of its members, and the communication and emotional state of the couple play a fundamental role in the psychological safety of this system. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of enrichment training based on acceptance and commitment therapy on communication patterns and emotional cognitive regulation of couples. Method: The study method is quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test with the control group). The statistical population included all couples referring to psychological and counseling centers in Qorveh and 40 volunteers were selected based on entry and exit criteria and randomly assigned to the group in experimental and control groups. Then, enrichment training sessions were held in groups for the experimental group and the control group did not receive any intervention. For data collection, the Communication Patterns Questionnaire by Christensen & Sullaway (1984) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by Garnefski (2001) were used. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software. Findings: The results of the present study showed that the experimental intervention was effective. That is, enrichment training based on the approach of acceptance and commitment treatment has a significant effect on the reciprocal constructive dimension in couples (P<0.001). Also, enrichment training based on the approach of acceptance and commitment treatment has a significant effect on the dimension of self-blame in couples (P<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, enrichment training based on commitment and acceptance therapy can improve communication patterns and cognitive regulation of emotion in couples and be effective in reducing couples’ tensions and communication challenges.

Keywords


Abbasi, M., Askarpoor, F., golizahe, F., Eraghi, A. (2019). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on relational attributions of unmarried women. Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 9(1), 35-48. [Persian]. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.22516654.1398.9.1.3.
Abbasi, M., Madani, Y., Gholamali Lavasani, M. (2014). Teaching “Practical Application of Intimacy Relationship Skills” in a Group Format and its Effectiveness on Couples’ Communication patterns in Marriage Threshold couples. Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 4(2), 227-247. [Persian]. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.22516654.1393.4.2.2.
Abedi, A., Mosayebi, E., Reza Oreyzi, H. (2013). Meta-Analysis of Effectiveness of Psychological Groups Intervention On Rate of Marital Satisfaction (Iran- 1383-1389). Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3(2), 233-261. [Persian]. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.22516654.1392.3.2.4.8
 Akhavan Gholami, M., Hayati, M. (2019). The effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and commitment (ACT) therapy on ineffective communication beliefs and marital adjustment of discordant women. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 20(3), 31-43. [Persian]. https://dx.doi.org/10.30486/jsrp.2019.564265.1265
Baruch, D., Kanker, J., & Busch, A. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy: enhancing the relationships. Journal of Clinical Case Studies. 8 (3): 241-257. https://dx.doi.org/10.22054/jcps.2019.36697.2012
Ben-Naim, S., Hirschberger, G., Ein-Dor, T., Mikulincer, M. (2013). An experimental study of emotion regulation during relationship conflict interactions: The moderating role of attachment orientations. Emotion, 13, 506–519. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0031473
Bloch, L., Haase, C. M., & Levenson, R. W. (2014). Emotion regulation predicts marital satisfaction: More than a wives’ tale. Emotion, 14(1), 130. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034272
Bradbury, T. N., & Bodenmann, G. (2020). Interventions for Couples. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 16(1), 47-63. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F02654075221077280
Carson, JW., Carson, KM., Gil, K.M., Baucom, D.H. (2004). Mindfulness based relationship enhancement. Behavior Therapy, 35(3):471-494. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/S0005-7894(04)80028-5
Christensen, A. (1987). Detection of conflict patterns in couples. In K. Halweg &M.J. Goldstein (Eds.), Understanding major mental disorder: The contribution of family interaction research (pp. 250-265). New York: Family Process Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/353737
Durães, R. S. S., Khafif, T. C., Lotufo-Neto, F., & Serafim, A. de P. (2020). Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Couple Therapy on Reducing Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Increasing Dyadic Adjustment and Marital Social Skills: An Exploratory Study. The Family Journal, 106648072090241. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1066480720902410
Ebadatpour, B. (2000). Standardization of Marital Communication Patterns Questionnaire. Master Thesis in Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tarbiat Moalem University. [Persian]. http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/ijpcp.26.2.3099.1
Faal, M., Atef Vahid, T., MadadiTaeme, Z., Shaaban, N., Amani, O. (2019). The Effectiveness of Accepted and Commitment Group Therapy on Psychological Flexibility and Family Communication Patterns in Women with Type 2 Diabetes. Iranian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 7 (4):41-49. [Persian]. http://ijpn.ir/article-1-1377-en.html
Foran, H. M., Whisman, M. A., & Beach, S. R. H. (2015). Intimate Partner Relationship Distress in the DSM-5. Family Process, 54(1), 48–63. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/famp.12122
Garnefski, N., & Kraaij, V. (2012). Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Self-help Program on Emotional Problems for People with Acquired Hearing Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 17, 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/enr020
Ghasedi, M. (2019). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on forgiveness, emotional regulation, and marital intimacy of women injured by infidelity. Scientific Journal of Social Psychology, 7(52), 41-50. http://psychology.iauahvaz.ac.ir/article_670397.html?lang=en
Golmahammadian, M., Rashidi, A., Parvaneh, A. (2018). Effectiveness of Training based on Acceptance and Commitment on cognitive emotion regulation and beliefs efficacy in the Female students. Educational Psychology, 14(47), 1-23. [Persian]. doi: 10.22054/jep.2018.22533.1831
Gottman, J. M. (2014). The science of trust: Emotional attunement for couples. New York: Norton. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2002.41203.x
Gottman, J. M., & Notarious C. I. (2002). Marital in 20TH century and research and for 21st century, Family Process, 41, 156-197. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1545-5300.2002.41203.x
Halford, W. K. (2011). Marriage and relationship education: What works and how to provide it. Guilford Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2011-20615-000
Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J., & Levin, M. E. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy as a unified model of behavior change. The Counseling Psychologist, 40(7), 976-1002. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0011000012460836
Heidarian, A., Asadpour, E., Mohsenzadeh, F., Zahrakar, K. (2020). Effect of A Group Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Quality of Life and Communication Patterns in Patients with Breast Cancer and Their Spouses. Iranian Journal of Breast Diseases, 13 (1), 24-34. [Persian].  http://ijbd.ir/article-1-767-en.html
Isanejad, O., Alipour, E., kalhori, S. (2018). Assessment of marital self-regulation in Iranian population: Studying reliability, validity and factor structure of Persian version of Behavioral Self-Regulation for Effective Relationships Scale (BSRERS) in couples. Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 7(2), 126-147. [Persian]. https://fcp.uok.ac.ir/article_57817.html
Karimi sani, P., Ehyaei, K. (2011). Presenting a Model for Married Life Quality Based on Pre-marriage ‎Predictive Factors among Tabriz Couples ‎. Women and Family Studies, 4(13), 61-82. [Persian]. http://jwsf.iaut.ac.ir/article_519862.html?lang=en
Klein, S. R., Renshaw, K. D., Curby, T. W. (2016). Emotion regulation and perceptions of hostile and constructive criticism in romantic relationships. Behavior Therapy, 47, 143–154. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1016/j.beth.2015.10.007
McNulty, J. K., Hellmuth, J. C. (2008). Emotion regulation and intimate partner violence in newlyweds. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 794–797. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0013516
Megale, A., Peterson, E., & Friedlander, M.L. (2021). How effective is Online Couple Relationship Education? A Systematic Meta-Content Review. Contemporary Family Therapy,11(4), 291–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-021-09585-7
Nagaraja, A., Rajamma, R.N., & Viswanatha, R.S. (2012). Effect of parent’s marital satisfaction, marital life period, and type of family on their children's mental health status. Journal of Psychology, 3(2), 65-70. https://zh.booksc.eu/book/68718543/6e64a0
Nameni, E., (2016). The effectiveness of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment(ACT) on communication beliefs and marital satisfaction of the incompatible women. Journal of Counseling Research, 15 (57), 58-80. [Persian]. http://irancounseling.ir/journal/article-1-76-en.html
Narimani, A., Hobbi, M. (2018). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on dyadic adjustment in women. Family Counseling and Psychotherapy, 8(1), 166-182. [Persian]. https://fcp.uok.ac.ir/article_60915.html?lang=en
Oschner, K. N., & Gross, J. J. (2005). The cognitive control of emotion. Trend Cognitive Sciences, 9(5), 242-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2005.03.010
Richards, J. M., Butler, E. A., Gross, J. J. (2003). Emotion regulation in romantic relationships: The cognitive consequences of concealing feelings. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 20, 599–620. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1177/02654075030205002
Roddy, M. K., Knopp, K., Georgia Salivar, E., & Doss, B. D. (2021). Maintenance of Relationship and Individual Functioning Gains Following Online Relationship Programs for Low-Income Couples. Family Process60(1), 102-118.  https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12541
Rusu, P. P. (2016). Dyadic coping in Romanian couples. In Falconier, M. K., Randall, A. K., Bodenmann, G. (Eds.), Couples coping with stress: A cultural perspective,187–202. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2016-20915-012
Rusu, P. P., Bodenmann, G., & Kayser, K. (2018). Cognitive emotion regulation and positive dyadic outcomes in married couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships,026540751775166.  https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0265407517751664
Rusu, P. P., Hilpert, P., Falconier, M., Bodenmann, G. (2017). Economic strain and support in the couple: The mediating role of positive emotions. Stress and Health, 34,  2: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2794
Rusu, P. P., Hilpert, P., Turliuc, M. N., Bodenmann, G. (2016). Dyadic coping in an Eastern European context: Validity and measurement invariance of the Romanian version of the dyadic coping inventory. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 49, 274–285. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1080/07481756.2017.1417449
Samani, S., Sadeghi, L. (2010). Psychometric Properties of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Psychological Methods and Models, 1(1), 51-62. http://jpmm.miau.ac.ir/article_1154_en.html
Shafer, K., James, S. L., & Larson, J. H. (2016). Relationship self-regulation and relationship quality: The moderating influence of gender. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(4), 1145-1154. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s10826-015-0294-4
Shechtman, Z., Pastor, R. (2012). Cognitive–behavioral and humanistic group treatment on couples relationship beliefs. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 52(3), 322-336. http://journals.miau.ac.ir/article_4365.html
Snyder, D. K., & Balderrama‐Durbin, C. M. (2020). Current Status and Challenges in Systemic Family Therapy with Couples. The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, 1–25. https://doi.apa.org/record/2020-23063-013
Sobouhi, R., fatehizade, M., ahmadi, A., etemadi, O. (2017). The Effect of Counseling Approach Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Amount of Marital Attributions and Marital Satisfaction in Women Admitted to Isfahan Cultural Centers. Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 18(1), 12-22. http://jsr-p.khuisf.ac.ir/article_534046.html?lang=en
Zeidner, M., Kloda, I., & Matthews, G. (2013). Does dyadic coping mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and marital quality? Journal of Family Psychology, 27(5), 795–805.  https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034009