The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy on Reduction of Negative Emotions towards Family in Law and Marital Satisfaction

Considering the importance of peaceful relations with family in law, this study strived to investigate the efficacy of cognitive–behavioral group therapy on negative emotions towards family in law and marital satisfaction.

The research was a quasi experimental one with a pre-test, post-test and a control group. The population were married women in District 4 of Isfahan city who responded to the call of researcher for participate in cognitive behavioral group therapy. 30 women were selected from those who earned quorum scores in researcher made negative emotions towards family in law questionnaire and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Negative emotions towards family in law questionnaire and Index of Marital Satisfaction (IMS) were completed by both groups. The experimental group received 8,2 hour sessions of cognitive-behavioral group therapy whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. Post-tests completed by both groups. Data were analyzed via multivariate analysis.

Results revealed that cognitive behavioral group therapy had significant effectiveness (p<0/05) in reduction of negative emotions towards family in law and increase of marital satisfaction

It can be concluded that cognitive behavioral group therapy can be helpful in reducing negative emotions towards family in law and enhance the life quality of couples.