The effectiveness of Ellis's group cognitive- behavioral training in reducing the constraining beliefs of mate selection in female college students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Ellis’s cognitive-behavioral training in reducing the constraining beliefs of mate-selecion in female students of Boroujerd Islamic Azad University. 500 students were selected based on multi-stage sampling method and completed the Constraining Beliefs of Mate Selection scale (CBMSQ). 30 female students were selected who were 1.5 SD above the mean and had no history of mental illnesses. They were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The CBMS was administered to both groups prior to the treatment. During eight sessions the students in the experimental group followed a cognitive-behavioral training program. They were post tested 2 weeks later using the same questionnaire. The results showed significant differences in "cohabitation", "the one and only", "opposites compliment" and "idealism" subscales in favor of the experimental group. Howerer, the results of the subscales of "the perfect confidence" and "choosing should be easy" did not change significantly. According to the results, group cognitive-behavioral training, based on Ellis’s method could reduce the constraining beliefs of mate selection in students.