اثربخشی طرحواره‌درمانی زوج‌محور بر دلزدگی زناشویی، صمیمیت هیجانی و تعارضات زناشویی در زوجین

خاطره جعفری; علیرضا کاکاوند

Authors

Khatereh Jafari M.A, Department of Personality Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1989-4425
Alireza Kakavand Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8795-4699

Keywords:

Marital Conflicts, Marital Boredom, Couples, Emotional Intimacy, Couple, Based Schema Therapy

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of couple-based schema therapy on marital boredom, emotional intimacy, and marital conflicts among couples referring to counseling centers in Alborz city.

Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up assessments using experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all couples referring to counseling centers in Alborz city in 2025. Twenty couples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 11 two-hour sessions of couple-based schema therapy, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data collection instruments included the Marital Conflicts Questionnaire developed by Sanayi et al., the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Inventory by Schaefer and Olson, and the Marital Burnout Questionnaire by Pines. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26.

Findings: The results of repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that couple-based schema therapy significantly reduced marital conflicts and marital boredom while significantly increasing emotional intimacy in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, the interaction effect of time and group was statistically significant for all variables, indicating the sustained effectiveness of the intervention over time. Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons also revealed significant differences between pre-test and post-test as well as follow-up stages. Although the therapeutic effects on emotional intimacy and marital conflicts remained stable during follow-up, the effect size for marital boredom showed a slight reduction over time.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that couple-based schema therapy is an effective intervention for improving marital relationship quality, enhancing emotional intimacy, and reducing marital conflicts and marital boredom. By targeting maladaptive early schemas and promoting healthier communication patterns, this therapeutic approach facilitates more adaptive and emotionally secure interactions between couples. Therefore, the implementation of schema therapy in counseling and psychological service centers may contribute substantially to strengthening family functioning and marital well-being.

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