The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Forgiveness and Marital Adjustment among Women Damaged by Marital Infidelity

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on forgiveness and marital adjustment among women damaged by marital infidelity. The research was a quasi-experimental study with pre and post- test design with a control group. Assessment instruments consisted of Ray''s forgiveness Questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier، 1976). Statistical population included all women referring to counseling centers located in Shiraz during fall 2013 due to infidelity. Sampling method was purposeful and volunteers who participated in the study were chosen from 5 counseling centers. 30 women selected were randomly assigned to experimental (15 persons) and control (15 persons) groups. Treatment plan on the base of acceptance and commitment therapy was performed in 10-sessions، each for 90 minutes in group counseling form. Post- test was performed 6 months later. The results showed the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on forgiveness by 0. 72. There were significant differences between experimental and control groups in comparing mean scores of marital adjustment post-test by 0. 77. Analysis of covariance showed that the effect was significant (0. 005> P) in marital satisfaction 9. 58، correlation dimension for two people 24. 65، and mutual agreement 87. 60 and showing love 9. 62. Also results indicated that the therapeutic effect of this approach was maintained at follow-up.