The comparison of the effectiveness of group schema therapy and group emotional-based couple therapy on couples’ maladaptive schemas and life satisfaction

research indicated emotional-based couple group therapy and schema group therapy have improved life satisfaction, but whether emotional-based couple group therapy and schema group therapy are effective on this variable and which one is more effective?

The aim of the current study was to compare the effectiveness of group schema therapy and group emotional-based couple therapy on couples’ life satisfaction and maladaptive schemas. 

The present study was a quasi-experimental design containing two experimental groups and one control group. Among couples who referred to counseling centers in the city of Mashhad, 50 couples with marital problems were screened by interview. Then, among them, 24 couples were randomly assigned into the groups. Eight emotional-based couple therapy( Johnson, 2012) sessions and 11 schema therapy( Young, 1999) sessions were held. Data were collected by using Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin satisfaction with life scale  (1984) and Young's maladaptive schemas questionnaire (1991). To analyze the data, SPSS software and  multivariate analysis of covariance were used.

The results of the present study showed that schema therapy was effective in the improvement of  life satisfaction and the reduction of maladaptive schemas in couples. Emotional-based couple therapy was also effective in reducing maladaptive schemas and increasing life satisfaction (p<0/001).

The results showed the positive effects of schema therapy and couple therapy on couples’ maladaptive schemas and life satisfaction, and also these two methods were equally effective.