Comparing the Effects of Emotion-focused Couple Therapy and Gottman’s Couple Therapy on Relationship Commitment and Attachment Trauma of Couples

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotionally focused couple therapy and Gottman’s couple therapy in commitment in the relationship and the couple’s attachment trauma. The study followed a quasi-experimental research design with a pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistical population of the study included all couples who referred to psychology and counseling centers under the supervision of the judiciary in Tehran in 2020. Among the population, 21 couples were randomly selected and were randomly assigned into the first experimental group, the second experimental group, and the control group. Data were collected using the Adams and Jones’ Dimensions of Commitment Inventory (DCI) and Milkin’s Attachment Injury Measure (AIM). The experimental groups underwent intervention for seven 1.5-hour sessions (once a week) and the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test using SPSS software (version 26). Emotionally focused couple therapy and Gottman’s couple therapy (in comparison with the control group) had significant effects on the commitment in the relationship (F = 60.580, P < 0.001) and the attachment trauma (F = 41.875, P <0.001). In addition, emotionally focused couple therapy was more effective in the commitment in the relationship and the couple attachment trauma (P < 0.001). Emotionally focused couple therapy, compared to Gottman’s couple therapy, could be a more effective intervention to improve marital commitment and repair couples’ attachment trauma. The implications of the study regarding determining the effective treatment and future studies are discussed.