The Effectiveness of Couple-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Conflict Management Styles and Covert Relational Aggression in Couples with Marital Conflict

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Marital conflict and maladaptive interaction patterns are among the most important factors threatening couples’ relationship quality and are often associated with covert relational aggression and ineffective conflict management styles. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of couple-based cognitive behavioral therapy on conflict management styles and covert relational aggression among couples with marital conflict who referred to counseling centers in Alborz city.

Methodology: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of couples with marital conflict who referred to counseling centers in Alborz city in 2025. A total of 18 couples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in 11 sessions of couple-based cognitive behavioral therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Research instruments included the Revised Marital Conflict Questionnaire, Nelson and Carroll’s Covert Relational Aggression Scale (2006), and Rahim’s Conflict Management Styles Questionnaire (1983). Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 26.

Findings: The results of multivariate covariance analysis demonstrated that couple-based cognitive behavioral therapy had a significant effect on the study variables (P<0.001). The findings revealed a significant increase in integrative and compromising conflict management styles and a significant decrease in obliging and avoiding styles in the experimental group compared to the control group. Moreover, covert relational aggression, including emotional withdrawal and social image damaging, significantly decreased following the intervention. However, no significant change was observed in the dominating conflict management style. The obtained effect sizes indicated the substantial effectiveness of the intervention in explaining changes in the dependent variables.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that couple-based cognitive behavioral therapy can improve adaptive conflict management styles and reduce covert relational aggression among couples with marital conflict through modifying dysfunctional cognitions, enhancing communication skills, strengthening empathy, and improving problem-solving abilities. Therefore, implementing this therapeutic approach in counseling and psychological service centers may provide an effective evidence-based intervention for reducing marital conflicts and improving couples’ relationship quality.