Comparing the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Imago Relation Therapy (IRT) in couple’s marital satisfaction

In a family life, the beginning of the  couple’s relationship is the time of  adjustment and compatibility where they might experience the least amount of satisfaction from each other. The aim of the present study was to investigate the  effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and the Relationship-Imago Therapy (IRT) in increasing couples’ marital satisfaction during their early years of marriage. 24 couples participated in this research and were assigned to two groups – trial and control.  These  groups received training ten 90- minute sessions of emotionally-focused couple therapy and Imago relationship therapy respectively. Marital satisfaction was measured by the Enrich Couple Questionnaire (MSQ). Results showed that both EFCT and IRT were effective in enhancing the couples’ marital satisfaction. Results also revealed that the IRCT had been more effective in dimensions of marital satisfaction and the idealistic distortion than the EFCT. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded the IRT appeared to be more effective in couple’s marital satisfaction in their early years of marriage.