Comparison the effectiveness of Bowen family therapy approach and McMaster's model on intimacy, cognitive emotion regulation and family function in couples who exposed to divorce

The purpose of this study was comparing the effectiveness of McMaster and Bowen family therapy on intimacy, cognitive emotion regulation and family function in couples who exposed to divorce. This study had a quasi-experimental method including pre-test - post-test with control group and three-month follow up. The statistical population consisted of all couples applying for divorce who referred by family court to counseling centers of Rasht city in 1396. From this community, 48 couples with the criteria for entering the research were selected through available sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups of 16 people. But due to the drop in the number of subjects, the number of people in each group reached 10. Two methods of McMaster and Bowen family therapy approaches were performed for 8 sessions of 2 hours and the control group did not receive any treatment. After completing the sessions, three groups were subjected to post-test and follow-up trials. Instruments included Walker and Thompson intimacy scale, Garnefski cognitive emotion regulation and Epstein family assessment. The results of multivariable analysis of covariance showed that McMaster and Bowen family therapy had a significant effect on intimacy, cognitive emotion regulation and family function (P <0.001). Also, the results of follow-up test showed that there is no significant difference between the effectiveness of Bowen and McMaster family therapy on intimacy, cognitive emotion regulation and family function. According to the findings, considering Intimacy, cognitive emotion regulation and family functioning variables in working with couples who applying for divorce recommended to counselors and psychologists.