Comparing the effectiveness of imago therapy and object relations therapy on self-differentiation and self-regulation in women with multiple divorces

Regarding the importance of emotional well-being in marriage sustainability, the present study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of imago therapy and object relations therapy on self-differentiation and self-regulation in women with multiple divorces. 

The statistical population of this clinical trial included women who had multiple divorces and were referred to counseling centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2021. Thirty-six women were selected through the convenient sampling method, and they were assigned through a simple random method in the groups of imago therapy (12 participants), object relations therapy (12 participants), and control (12 participants). The experimental groups participated in therapy sessions, and during this period, the control group did not receive any intervention. The participants fulfilled the Differentiation of Self Inventory and Self-Regulation Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance with repeated measures. 

The findings revealed significant effects of object relations therapy and imago therapy on self-regulation and self-differentiation (P< 0.05). Also, regarding the effect sizes, it seems that object relations therapy had greater effects than imago therapy on self-differentiation (0.24 vs. 0.23) and self-regulation (0.82 vs. 0.72) in women with multiple divorces. 

Based on the results, object relations therapy and imago therapy are effective in increasing self-differentiation and self-regulation in women with multiple divorces. However, it seems that object relations therapy is more effective.