Comparing the effectiveness of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) and Affective Reconstructive Couple Therapy (ARCT) on couples marital conventionalization and global distress

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran,Iran

2 Professor. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran. Department of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Behshti University, Tehran, Iran. Department of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, researchers have attempted to assess the effectiveness of couple therapies. This research aimed to evaluate the Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) and Affective Reconstructive Couple Therapy (ARCT) as treatments for marital conventionalization and global distress.
Materials and Methods: The statistical population of the present study consisted of couples referring to counseling centers in district 3 of Tehran in 2017. The sampling method of this study was purposeful. Twenty-four couples divided into two experimental groups and one control group. They completed Marriage Satisfaction Questionnaire-Revised Snyder (1979). The experimental groups received 12 ninety-minute sessions of IBCT or ARCT, whereas the control group received no interventions. Data analyzed through MANCOVA test with repeated measures, and SPSS software version 24.
 Results: The findings indicated that integrative behavior therapy significantly affected marital conventionalization and global distress (F= 23.361, P< 0.001). Also, affective reconstructive couple therapy had significant effects on marital conventionalization (F= 13.566, P< 0.001) and global distress (F= 10.267, P< 0.003). In addition, both therapies have been effective one-month follow-ups.
 Conclusion: The study found that integrative behavioral couple therapy and affective reconstructive couple therapy are effective to increase marital conventionalization and reduce global distress. Teaching integrative behavior couple therapy and affective reconstructive couple therapy can be effective for psychologists, health professionals, couple therapists, and family counselors to improve marital satisfaction.

Keywords

References

  1. Coleman L, Mitcheson J, Lloyd G. Couple relationships: Why are they important for health and wellbeing? Journal of health visiting 2013; 1(3): 168-72.
  2. Snyder DK, Halford WK. Evidence-based couple therapy: Current status and future directions. J Fam Ther 2012; 34(3): 229-49.
  3. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Gouin J-P, Hantsoo L. Close relationships, inflammation, and health. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010; 35(1): 33-8.
  4. Snyder DK, Balderrama-Durbin C, Cigrang JA, Talcott GW, Smith Slep AM, Heyman RE. Help-seeking among airmen in distressed relationships: Promoting relationship well-being. Psychotherapy 2016; 53(1): 1.
  5. Gurman AS, Fraenkel P. The history of couple therapy: A millennial review. Fam Process 2002; 41(2): 199-260.
  6. Shadish WR, Baldwin SA. Meta-analysis of MFT interventions. J Marit Fam Ther 2003; 29(4): 547-70.
  7. Snyder DK, Mitchell AE. Affective-reconstructive couple therapy. In: Gurman A. (editor). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York: Guilford; 2008: 353-82.
  8. Snyder DK, Wills RM. Behavioral versus insight-oriented marital therapy: effects on individual and interspousal functioning. J Consult Clin Psychol 1989; 57(1): 39.
  9. Gurman AS. A framework for the comparative study of couple therapy. In: Gurman A. (editor). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York: Guilford; 2008: 1-26.
  10. Jacobson NS, Addis ME. Research on couples and couple therapy: What do we know? Where are we going? J Consult Clin Psychol 1993; 61(1): 85.
  11. Zareei E, Karimian N, Mohammadi K, Kristansen A. Study and comparison of the effectiveness of integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) and redecision therapy in decreasing of marital distress of competing couples. Counseling culture and psychotherapy 2016; 7(25): 111-32.
  12. Arianfar N, Etemadi O. [The effect of integrated couple therapy based on self-regulation attachment on marital adjustment]. Knowledge and research in applied psychology 2017; 18: 61-71. (Persian)
  13. Baucom DH, Pentel KZ, Gordon KC, Snyder DK. An integrative approach to treating infidelity in couples. Foundations for couples’ therapy. London: Routledge; 2017: 206-15.
  14. Halford WK, Markman HJ, Kling GH, Stanley SM. Best practice in couple relationship education. J Marit Fam Ther 2003; 29(3): 385-406.
  15. Panahi M, Jamarani SK, Shahrbabaki ME, Rostami M. [Effectiveness of integrative behavioral couple therapy on reducing marital burnout and fear in couples of intimacy]. Journal of applied psychology 2017; 11(3): 43. (Persian)
  16. Christensen A, Dimidjian S, Martell CR. Integrative behavioral couple therapy. In: Gurman A, Lebow JL, Snyder DK. (editors). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York: Guilford; 2015: 61-94.
  17. Snyder DK. Multidimensional assessment of marital satisfaction. J Marr Fam 1979; 41: 813-23.
  18. Tabrizi M. [Validation of marriage satisfaction inventory]. Knowledge and research in applied psychology 2008; 9: 117-42. (Persian)
  19. Christensen A, Atkins DC, Baucom B, Yi J. Marital status and satisfaction five years following a randomized clinical trial comparing traditional versus integrative behavioral couple therapy. J Consult Clin Psychol 2010; 78(2): 225.
  20. Christensen A, Doss BD. Integrative behavioral couple therapy. Curr Opin Psychol 2017; 13: 111-4.
  21. Gasbarrini MF, Snyder DK. Affective reconstructive approach to couple therapy. Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy; 2019: 61-7.
  22. Soleimani AA, Najafi M, Ahmadi K, Javidi N, Kamkar EH, Mahboubi M. The effectiveness of emotionally focused couples therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital adjustment of infertile couples with marital conflicts. Int J Fertil Steril 2015; 9(3): 393-402.
  23. Rajabi G, Khoshnoud G, Sodani M, Khojastehmehr R. [The effectiveness of affective-reconstructive couple therapy in increasing the trust and marital satisfaction of couples with remarriage]. Iranian journal of psychiatry and clinical psychology 2020; 26(1): 114-29. (Persian)
  24. Jacobson NS, Christensen A, Prince SE, Cordova J, Eldridge K. Integrative behavioral couple therapy: an acceptance-based, promising new treatment for couple discord. J Consult Clin Psychol 2000; 68(2): 351.
  25. Wimberly JD. An outcome study of integrative couples therapy delivered in a group format. University of Montana; 1997.
  26. Sevier M, Eldridge K, Jones J, Doss BD, Christensen A. Observed communication and associations with satisfaction during traditional and integrative behavioral couple therapy. Behav Ther 2008; 39(2): 137-50.
  27. Namagardi HD, Farzad V, Nooranipoor R. Effectiveness of Affective-Reconstructive Couple Therapy on Marital Conventionalization and Global Distress. International journal of health studies 2021; 8(1): 38-43.
  28. Moghadam FAN, Shah Nazari M. [The role of social support and early maladaptive schemas in marital satisfaction of married women]. Iranian journal of nursing research 2017; 12(4): 53-60. (Persian)

 

Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 24, Issue 1
January and February 2022
Pages 39-46

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics