Comparing the Cognitive Flexibility, Cognitive Fusion, Cognitive Defusion in Male and Female Divorce Applicants

Cognitive flexibility and cognitive fusion and cognitive defusion are important and fundamental variables in clinical and diagnostic fields of treatments in the third wave of psychology. This study aimed to compare the cognitive flexibility, cognitive fusion, and cognitive defusion in male and female divorce applicants.

This comparative, descriptive-scientific study was performed on male and female divorce applicants, who referred to the Judiciary of Urmia in the fall and winter of 2018 and were introduced to justice-controlled counseling clinics through various branches of the family court. The subjects were screened using the criteria for entering the research. Ultimately, 100 participants (50 females and 50 males) were randomly selected. Data were collected through completing Denis Nederwall’s cognitive flexibility inventory and Gillanders’ cognitive fusion questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and one-way variance.

In this study, there was a significant difference between male and female participants in terms of cognitive flexibility since men showed more flexibility, compared to women (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between male and female subjects regarding cognitive fusion and cognitive defusion.

The obtained results can be considered in clinical and therapeutic applications. In addition, cognitive fusion and defusion are important variables in couples’ relations. Therefore, our findings can be used to improve marital conflicts.