Investigating the Effectiveness of Problem-Focused Couple Therapy and Metacognitive Therapy Approach on Strengthening Communication Skills and Reducing Marital Conflicts

Kobra  Sadat Banihashem; Zeinab Sadeghi; Fatemeh Gorji Chalespari; Negar Mivehvar; Seyedeh Sara Hoseini

doi:10.61838/kman.jndd.3.2.10

Authors

Kobra Sadat Banihashem Department of Psychology, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2196-9417
Zeinab Sadeghi Department of psychology, South Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7934-3273
Fatemeh Gorji Chalespari Department of psychology University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9822-4189
Negar Mivehvar Department of Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0322-3324
Seyedeh Sara Hoseini Department of Psychology, Quchan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0322-3324

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jndd.3.2.10

Keywords:

Defense Mechanisms, Coping Skills, Test Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Resilience

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze how problem-focused couple therapy and metacognitive therapy can enhance communication skills and decrease marital conflicts.

Methodology: The study utilized a semi-experimental design, consisting of a pre-test, post-test, and a three-month follow-up period, with two groups receiving interventions and one serving as the control group. The participants were couples seeking family counseling and dealing with marital conflicts in Shiraz between July and October 2023. A total of 42 couples were selected for the study using purposive sampling. One group received metacognitive training consisting of seven 60-minute sessions twice a week, while the other group received problem-focused couple therapy with six 60-minute sessions twice a week. The research utilized the Communication Skills Test-Revised (CSTR) and Marital Conflict Questionnaire-Revised (MCQ-R) as assessment tools. The statistical analysis in this study utilized the Kruskal-Wallis H test, repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 27, with a p-value set at 0.05.

Findings: The most recent study's results show that the P-value for the Between-Subjects Effects related to the Marital Conflict variable was deemed statistically significant (p<0.001). Likewise, the interaction effects between groups and time in the Within Subjects Effects also showed significance for the Marital Conflict variable (P=0.021). Additionally, the P-value for the Between-Subjects Effects was significant for the components of the Ability to receive and send messages, Emotional regulation, and Insights into the communication process (p<0.01). The analysis of the Between-Subjects Effects also revealed significant P-values for listening skills and Assertiveness components (p<0.01).

Conclusion: This research shows that problem-focused couple therapy and metacognitive therapy help improve communication skills and reduce marital conflicts. These findings can assist couples looking to enhance their relationships and promote empathy and mutual understanding in selecting the most suitable treatment to address their issues.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alghadir, A., Manzar, M. D., Anwer, S., Albougami, A., & Salahuddin, M. (2020). Psychometric properties of the generalized anxiety disorder scale among Saudi University male students. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 1427-1432. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S246526

Andrews, G., Singh, M., & Bond, M. (1993). Defense Style Questionnaire--40 (DSQ-40). Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. https://doi.org/10.1037/t20765-000

Azimifar, A., & Zahmatkesh, Z. (2021). The relationship between self-hypnosis and five major personality factors with anxiety in Iranian entrance exam candidates. Islamic Lifestyle Centered on Health, 4, 167-176. https://www.sid.ir/paper/413520/fa#downloadbottom

Billings, A. G., & Moos, R. H. (1984). Coping, stress, and social resources among adults with unipolar depression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(4), 877. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.46.4.877

Bita, M., & Jafariharandi, R. (2018). Predicting life satisfaction in terms of personality traits and defense mechanisms. Women's Studies Sociological and Psychological, 16(1), 111-150. https://doi.org/10.22051/jwsps.2018.20570.1752

Buffart, L. M., Schreurs, M. A., Abrahams, H. J., Kalter, J., Aaronson, N. K., Jacobsen, P. B., Newton, R. U., Courneya, K. S., Armes, J., Arving, C., & Braamse, A. M. (2020). Effects and moderators of coping skills training on symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer: Aggregate data and individual patient data meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 80, 101882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101882

Byrd-Bredbenner, C., Eck, K., & Quick, V. (2020). Psychometric properties of the generalized anxiety disorder-7 and generalized anxiety disorder-mini in United States university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 550533. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.550533

Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Academic Press.

Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113

Devi, H. M., Purborini, N., & Chang, H. J. (2021). Mediating effect of resilience on association among stress, depression, and anxiety in Indonesian nursing students. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(4), 706-713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.04.004

Di Giuseppe, M., Ciacchini, R., Piarulli, A., Nepa, G., & Conversano, C. (2019). Mindfulness dispositions and defense style as positive responses to psychological distress in oncology professionals. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 40, 104-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2019.04.003

Di Giuseppe, M., Nepa, G., Prout, T. A., Albertini, F., Marcelli, S., Orrù, G., & Conversano, C. (2021). Stress, burnout, and resilience among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 emergency: The role of defense mechanisms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5258. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105258

Ferrajão, P., Dias, J., & Elklit, A. (2022). Defense mechanisms mediate associations between exposure to adverse childhood experiences and anxiety and depression in Kenyan adolescents. Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000426

Fullerton, D. J., Zhang, L. M., & Kleitman, S. (2021). An integrative process model of resilience in an academic context: Resilience resources, coping strategies, and positive adaptation. PLOS ONE, 16(2), e0246000. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246000

Haghi, S. (2018). The effect of resilience training on anxiety of patients with deformity due to burning injuries. Journal of Health and Care, 20(3), 196-206. https://doi.org/10.29252/jhc.20.3.196

Hinds, J. A., & Sanchez, E. R. (2022). The role of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in test-induced anxiety: Assessments, physiological responses, and molecular details. Stresses, 2(1), 146-155. https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses2010011

Jozan, A., Fardin, M. A., & Sanagooe Moharer, G. (2023). The effectiveness of coping skills training on resilience of students who have recovered from COVID-19. Sociology of Education, 9(2), 285-294. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijes.2023.1988012.1382

Kareshki, H., Mohamma Taghizade, N., & Miri, S. (2017). Evaluation of the model of achievement goals in mediating the relationship between test anxiety and positive attributional biases. Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, 7(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.22108/cbs.2017.21759

Keshavarz, H., & Gh, S. (2016). The effect of Gestalt therapy on generalized anxiety disorder and test anxiety in students. Counseling Culture and Psychotherapy, 7(28), 85-102. https://doi.org/10.22054/qccpc.2017.7092

Liu, Y., Pan, H., Yang, R., Wang, X., Rao, J., Zhang, X., & Pan, C. (2021). The relationship between test anxiety and emotion regulation: The mediating effect of psychological resilience. Annals of General Psychiatry, 20, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-021-00360-4

Motallebi, M., Pour, M. S., Mehrnia, N., Behnaz, M., & Nia, N. M. (2023). Investigating the relationship between stress and oral health-related behaviors changes in final year of high school students prior to university entrance exam.https://www.sid.ir/paper/1116708/fa#downloadbottom

Nemati, S., Imanzadeh, A., Fouruhi, N., Mahdavi, M., & Afshin, H. (2019). The relationship between religious coping strategy, resiliency, and marital satisfaction. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 14(53), 317-331. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.27173852.1398.14.53.15.8

Nwaogu, J. M., & Chan, A. P. (2022). The impact of coping strategies and individual resilience on anxiety and depression among construction supervisors. Buildings, 12(12), 2148. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12122148

Pour, H., & Mansouri, A. (2021). The mediating role of worry and rumination in the relationship between behavioral brain systems and generalized anxiety disorder in students. Clinical Psychology and Personality, 19(1), 121-130. https://dx.doi.org/10.22070/cpap.2020.3047

Prekazi, L., Hajrullahu, V., Bahtiri, S., Kryeziu, B., Hyseni, B., Taganoviq, B., & Gallopeni, F. (2021). The impact of coping skills in post-traumatic growth of healthcare providers: When mental health is deteriorating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 791568. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.791568

Ran, L., Wang, W., Ai, M., Kong, Y., Chen, J., & Kuang, L. (2020). Psychological resilience, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms in response to COVID-19: A study of the general population in China at the peak of its epidemic. Social Science & Medicine, 262, 113261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113261

Sarason, I. G. (1984). Stress, anxiety, and cognitive interference: Reactions to tests. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(4), 929. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.46.4.929

Soltani, E., Shareh, H., Bahrainian, S. A., & Farmani, A. (2013). The mediating role of cognitive flexibility in correlation of coping styles and resilience with depression. Pajoohandeh Journal, 18(2), 88-96. Retrieved from http://pajoohande.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-1518-fa.html

Sun, J., Liang, K., Chi, X., & Chen, S. (2021). Psychometric properties of the generalized anxiety disorder scale-7 item (GAD-7) in a large sample of Chinese adolescents. Healthcare, 9(12), 1709. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9121709

Tabe Bordbar, F., & Kaveh, M. (2021). Investigating the relationship between various defense mechanisms and coronavirus anxiety. Armaghane Danesh, 25, 921-936. https://doi.org/10.52547/armaghanj.25.S1.921

Trindade, S. C., Sousa, L. F., & Carreira, L. B. (2021). Generalized anxiety disorder and prevalence of suicide risk among medical students. Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica, 45(2), e061. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v45.2-20200043.ING

Vaillant, G. E. (2020). Defense mechanisms. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 1024-1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_1372

Walker, G., & McCabe, T. (2021). Psychological defense mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case series. The European Journal of Psychiatry, 35(1), 41-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpsy.2020.10.005

Zhu, W., Wei, Y., Meng, X., & Li, J. (2020). The mediation effects of coping style on the relationship between social support and anxiety in Chinese medical staff during COVID-19. BMC Health Services Research, 20, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05871-6