Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

The Effectiveness of Couple Therapy Based on Communication Imagery on Marital Burnout and Attitudes Towards Extramarital Relationships in Conflicted Couples

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Saber Beiramloei 1
Fariba Monazami Tabar 2
Iraj Safaei Rad 2
1 PhD Student, Department of Psychology, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
10.48308/apsy.2024.236395.1682
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of couple therapy based on communication imagery in reducing marital burnout and changing attitudes toward extramarital relationships in conflicted couples.
 
Method: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up, including a control group. The statistical population comprised all conflicted couples who visited counseling centers in Hamedan during 2022–2023. Using the Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (Sanaei, Alaghemand, Felahati, & Hooman, 2008), 30 couples scoring above the cutoff point of 135 were purposively selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15 couples) and a control group (n = 15 couples). The experimental group received a communication imagery couple therapy intervention based on Hendrix and Hunt’s (2013) protocol, conducted in 10 weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each, while the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Marital Burnout Questionnaire (Pines, 1996) and the Attitudes Toward Extramarital Relationships Questionnaire (Whatley, 2008). Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS-26.
 
Results: Communication imagery couple therapy significantly reduced marital burnout and positive attitudes toward extramarital relationships in conflicted couples. These effects remained stable during the follow-up phase (p = 0.001).
 
Conclusion: The findings suggest that counseling centers can utilize communication imagery couple therapy to effectively reduce marital burnout and discourage positive attitudes toward extramarital relationships in conflicted couples.
Keywords
Couple Conflict
Marital Burnout
Communication Imagery Couple Therapy
Attitude Towards Extramarital Relationships
Subjects
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