The Effectiveness of Cognitive Emotion Regulation on Reducing Domestic Violence and Marital Affective Empathy in Men

TThe existence of violence in family patterns has led to its extension to society and the persistence of violent patterns and behaviors in social relationships. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive emotional regulation on reducing domestic violence and marital emotional empathy. The research method is semi-experimental. Using the cognitive-emotional training program, the effectiveness of this training was assessed in experimental and control groups. The statistical population of the study includes all men referred to Zanjan city counseling centers in 1399. Accordingly, using available sampling method 2 groups of 20 people were selected in the control group (without training), the experimental group (cognitive-emotional training) and were matched based on age (30 to 45 years), academic status (undergraduate, bachelor, and master degree). The scale of domestic violence and marital emotional empathy were implemented before and after the training of cognitive emotional regulation. Data were analyzed using covariance test (ANCOVA-MANCOVA) through SPSS software. The results of this study showed that cognitive emotion regulation training has been effective in decreasing domestic violence  (Psychological violence 0.003, physical violence 0.041 and economic violence 0.022) and increasing emotional empathy(Reactive empathy 0.020, expressive empathy 0.008, participatory empathy 0.022, emotional affectivity 0.025 and emotional stability 0.016) in experimental group. The results of the present study indicate that psychologists implement workshops and therapy plans in order to make positive changes for promoting marital interpersonal relationship, taking into account positive and negative emotions in counseling centers.