The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Improving Cognitive Flexibility, Relationship Beliefs, and Rumination in Individuals with Marital Dissatisfaction

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) on improving cognitive flexibility, relationship beliefs, and reducing rumination in individuals with marital dissatisfaction.

Methodology: The research is applied in nature and employs a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with marital dissatisfaction in Bojnord City who visited welfare counseling centers in 2024 and scored as dissatisfied on the Olson Marital Satisfaction Test. Convenience sampling was used, and the sample size comprised 40 participants randomly assigned to an experimental group (20 participants) and a control group (20 participants). Data were collected using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory by Dennis and Vander Wal (2010), the Relationship Beliefs Questionnaire by Eidelson and Epstein (1981), and the Rumination Questionnaire by Nolen-Hoeksema (1991). The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of 90-minute Dialectical Behavior Therapy, based on McKay et al. (2012), conducted in a group format. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance with SPSS23 software.

Findings: The results demonstrated that Dialectical Behavior Therapy significantly improved cognitive flexibility, relationship beliefs, and reduced rumination in individuals with marital dissatisfaction. There were meaningful differences between the experimental and control groups for these variables.

Conclusion: Dialectical Behavior Therapy can be considered an effective intervention for enhancing cognitive flexibility, fostering positive relationship beliefs, and reducing rumination among individuals with marital dissatisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating innovative therapeutic approaches to address psychological and relational issues in couples.