The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group training on attachment and dysfunctional attitudes and marital adjustment of married

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. in clinical psychology, Islamic Azad University, Branch of Torbat-e-Jam

2 Psychiatrist, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavioral group training on attachment and dysfunctional attitudes and marital adjustment of married people.
 Materials and Methods: Subjects of thisclinical trial, were 16 married individuals with insecure attachment style and low marital adjustment. They were selected via convenience sampling among people who referred to Health and Treatment Center of Mashhad Municipality in 2011. They randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Both groups were assessed by adult attachment styles of Collins and Reid (RAAS), Locke and Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale (LWMAS) and Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS).The experimental group participated in 8 sessions of group cognitive behavioral therapy and simultaneously control group in 8 sessions of life skills.  The data was analyzed by covariance (ANCOVA) and t-test.
 Results: Results showed that cognitive behavioral training group compared with the control group, a significant decrease in anxiety (P<0.01). Cognitive behavioral training can also reduce dysfunctional beliefs and improve the attachment (P<0.05). Also more subjects in experimental group compare to controls, achieved to marital adjustment and improvement of all the variables.
 Conclusion: Group cognitive behavioral training as a therapeutic approach can be beneficial in modifying of   dependency, anxiety, dysfunctional attitudes and couples' attachment styles.

Keywords


1. Foroushani DF, Emami S, Mahmoudi GhR. Guidelines of conflict between attachment styles on marital satisfaction. Andeesheh-va-Raftar 2009; 3:  63-75. (Persian)
2. Bnes R. Adult attachment and marital satisfaction: Evidence for dyadic configuration effects. J Soc Pers Relat 2004; 21: 273-82.
3. Bathomew K, Horowitz LM. Attachment styles among adult. J Pers Soc Psychol 1991; 61: 226-44.
4. Papalia DE. A child's world: Infancy through adolescence. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002: 156-71.
5. Hazan C, Shaver P. Romantic love conceptualizes as an attachment process.  J  Soc Psychol 1987; 52: 511-24.
6. Stuber KR. [Adult attachment, conflict style and relationship satisfaction: Comprehensive model]. MA. Dissertation,Delaware University 2005;73-82.
7. Feeney JAD. Systemic nature of couple relationships: An attachment perspective. In: Erdmann P, Caffery T. (editors). Attachment and family systems: Conceptual, empirical, and therapeutic relatedness. New York: Brunner; 2003: 139-63.
8. Bnes R. Adult Attachment and marital satisfaction: Evidence for dyadic configuration effects. J Soc Pers Relat 2004; 21: 228-73.
9. Botlae S, Ahmadi A, Bahrami F. [Couple therapy based on attachment theory on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy Isfahan city]. MA. Dissertation. University of Isfahan, 2008: 197. (Persian)
10. Mousavi Z, Ahghar G, Assadzadeh H. The effectiveness of group counseling based on cognitive-behavioral approach in modifying students attachment styles. Journal of developmental psychology (Iranian psychologists) 2011; 8: 45-54.
11. Emami T, Noori A, Malekpour M, Abedi A. Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral training mothers on maternal behavior and child unsafe attachment. J Clin Psychol 2011; 3: 16-7.
12. Freeman N. Constrictive thinking and early maladaptive schemas as predictors of interpersonal adjustment marital studies. Diss Abstr Int 1991; 3: 59-98.
13. Amani A, Sanaei B, Nazari MA, Pezhman M. [Effectiveness of the two approaches, of schema therapy and attachment therapy on attachment styles in students signing stage]. Journal of family counseling and mental health 2010;2:171-91. (Persian)
14. Sadock BJ, Sadock VA. [Synopsis of psychiatry behavioral sciences, clinical psychiatry]. Rafiee F. (translator). 10th ed. Tehran; Arjmand; 2009. (Persian)
15. Frey M. [Cognitive therapy group]. Sahebi A, Hamidpoor H, Andouz Z. (translators). Tehran: University Jihad; 1999: 116-73. (Persian)
16. Beck J. [Cognitive therapy basics and beyond]. Fata L, Hosani F. (translators). Tehran: Danzheh; 2011: 112-33. (Persian)
17. Ninan M, Drayden V. [Cognitive therapy techniques 100 Tip 100]. Yaghobi H, Karimi. (translators). Tehran: Arjamand; 2004: 179-94. (Persian)
18. Burns D. [We had the good from the bad, cognitive therapy]. Gharachedaghi M. (translator). Tehran:Asim; 2005: 419-72. (Persian)
19.Gutman J, Silver N.[Seven ethics for success in marriage]. Gharachedaghi M. (translator).  2nd ed. Tehran: Asim; 2010: 119-82. (Persian)
20. Fathi M. [Set of life skills]. 3rd ed. Mashhad: Shahidipoor; 2005: 20-27. (Persian)
21. Feeney J, Noller P, Callan VJ. Attachment style, communication, and satisfaction in the early years of marriage. Adv Pers Relat 1994; 5: 269-308.
22. Hamidi F. [Family structure and attachment of the runaways and the effectiveness of family therapy and supportive therapy in changing them]. Ph.D. Dissertation. Tehran: Tarbiat Moallem University, 2004: 115-27. (Persian)
23. Lock HJ, Wallace KM. Short marital-adjustment and prediction tests: Their reliability and validity. Marr Fam Liv 1959; 21: 251-5.
24. MehrabiH,Hussainpoor M. Effectiveness of life skills training to increase marital adjustment. J Teach Learn 2010; 1(2): 1-15.
25. Bellack A, Hersen M. Behavioral assessment techniques. New York: Pergamon; 1988: 519.
26. Ismaili M, Aliloo MM, Bakhshpoor RA, Sharifi MA. [Evaluation of dysfunctional attitudes and coping styles in patients with primary hypertension. Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Al-Zahra]. Psychological studies 2009; 2(5): 41-55. (Persian)
27. Ebrahimi A. [Effectiveness of integrated treatment of religious, cognitive behavioral and drug therapy on depression and dysfunctional attitudes of patients with dysthymic disorder]. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Isfahan, 2009: 91-126. (Persian)
28. Shakelford TK. Co habilitation, marriage and molder: Woman-killing by male romantic partners.Aggress Behav 2001; 27: 284-97.
29. Perlman D. Further reflection on the present state of loneliness research. In: Hoja M, Ctandall R. (editors). Loneliness: Theory, research and applications. Canada: San Rafael; 1987:199-207.
30. Gattis K, Berns S, Simpton LE , Christensen A. Birds of a feather or strong birds? Ties among personality dimension similarity and marital quality. J Fam Psychol 2004; 18: 564-74.
31. Skeen M. Schema-focused analysis of Philip care. In: Maugham W. Human bondage. California, San Francisco: The Wright Institute; 2007: 105,48-95.