Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Couple Therapy on the Marital Quality of Conflicting Couples in Isfahan, Iran

Aim and Marital quality of couples is the most important aspect of families with optimal performance. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) and couple therapy based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the marital quality of conflicting couples.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experiment was conducted with a pretest-posttest design and control group. The statistical population of the study included all conflicting couples referring to consultation centers in the city of Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. The subjects (90 couples) were selected through voluntary sampling and were divided into CBCT (30 individuals), ACT (30 individuals), and control groups (30 individuals). The two experimental groups received 12 sessions of therapy (once a week). The data collection tools were a demographic characteristics form and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS software.
Findings: CBCT and ACT made significant changes in marital quality at the posttest stage (P 0.05).
According to the results of the study, both CBCT and ACT caused significant changes in marital quality and there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of these two therapeutic methods. Thus, the results of this study provide empirical support for increase in marital quality through both therapies.