Comparison of the effectiveness of schema therapy based on communication enrichment program, acceptance and knowledge, and integrated systemic couple therapy on marital commitment and reduction of injuries caused by infidelity of women affected by extramarital relationships

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy based on the communication enrichment program of acceptance and integrated systemic couple therapy on marital commitment and interpersonal motivations of couples affected by extramarital relationships. The current research method is quasi-experimental with a three-group pre-test and post-test design. The statistical population of the study included all women affected by extramarital relationships who referred to counseling centers in Babol city in the first nine months of 2019. In order to select a statistical sample using the purposeful sampling method, first 45 people were selected and then they were randomly placed in the first and second test groups and the control group (15 people in each group). The research tools of McCullough et al. (1998) interpersonal motivations related to injury and Adams & Jones (1997) marital commitment scales (2001)  were used. Lev and McKay's (2012) Schema therapy intervention based on acceptance communication enrichment program and Feldman's (1990) integrative systemic couple therapy protoco were implemented in 12 sessions 90-minute as a group for the first and second experimental groups. The data were analyzed by covariance analysis using SPSS22 software at a significance level of 0.05. Statistical findings showed that both therapeutic approaches used were effective in increasing Improving marital commitment and interpersonal motivation (P < 0.05). Schema therapy intervention based on acceptance communication enrichment program was significantly more effective than integrative systemic couple therapy on marital commitment and of women affected by extramarital relationships (P < 0.05). Also, no significant difference was observed between the effectiveness of schema therapy based on acceptance communication enrichment program and Feldman's integrative systemic couple therapy on interpersonal motivations(P < 0.05). As a result, counseling centers and family clinics for women affected by extramarital relationships who are exposed to psychological consequences after betrayal can use these two approaches with the priority of counseling and group psychotherapy.