مقایسه اثربخشی طرحواره‌درمانی و درمان شناختی–رفتاری بر جذابیت زوجین و ابراز احساسات مثبت در زوجین متعارض

فروغ معیری راد; قمر کیانی; امین   رفیعی پور

Authors

Forogh Moayerirad Department of Clinical Psychology, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9485-8212
Ghamar Kiani Department of Psychology, Za.C., Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-4701
Amin Rafiepoor Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4645-422X

Keywords:

Schema therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, couple attraction, expression of positive emotions, conflicted couples

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Persistent marital conflicts may reduce partners’ perceived attraction, weaken emotional bonds, and restrict the expression of positive feelings within intimate relationships. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and durability of schema therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in improving couple attraction and the expression of positive feelings among conflictual couples.

Methodology: This applied study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of conflictual couples who attended Bamdad Clinic in the Saadat Abad district of Tehran during the first half of 2024. Using purposive sampling, 45 couples were recruited and randomly assigned to schema therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and control groups, with 15 couples in each group. Data were collected using the Positive Feelings Questionnaire and the Couple Attraction Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons.

Findings: Both interventions produced significant improvements in behavioral attraction, emotional attraction, total expression of positive feelings, general feelings toward the spouse, and positive feelings toward the spouse compared with the control group (p≤0.001). At posttest, schema therapy was significantly more effective than cognitive behavioral therapy in improving behavioral attraction (p=0.040), emotional attraction (p=0.012), total positive feelings (p=0.005), general feelings toward the spouse (p=0.018), and positive feelings toward the spouse (p=0.012). The superiority of schema therapy remained significant at follow-up for behavioral attraction (p=0.020), emotional attraction (p=0.025), total positive feelings (p=0.002), general feelings toward the spouse (p=0.008), and positive feelings toward the spouse (p=0.010). No significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up scores in either intervention group, indicating that the therapeutic improvements were relatively stable over time.

Conclusion: Schema therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are both effective in enhancing couple attraction and the expression of positive feelings among conflictual couples. However, schema therapy appears to produce stronger and more durable improvements and may therefore be particularly appropriate for addressing persistent emotional and relational patterns in couples experiencing chronic marital conflict.

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