Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy with Mindfulness and Forgiveness Therapy on Clinical Symptoms, Emotional Responses in Women Affected by Wife Betrayal

Infidelity is a threat to family life and the relationship of the spouses, leading to emotional reactions such as sadness, dread, anger, fear, jealousy and guilt, especially in the person being betrayed. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy with mindfulness and forgiveness therapy in clinical symptoms and emotional responses in women affected by their husband's betrayal.

The present study was a semi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design. A total of 36 women who had experienced husband's betrayal were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental (schema therapy with mindfulness n = 12 and forgiveness therapy n = 12) and control groups (n = 12). Interventions were provided to the experimental groups in ten 90-minute weekly sessions. Variance analysis with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis.

The effect of intergroup interaction and the time of measurement for schema therapy with mindfulness and forgiveness therapy on clinical symptoms (P < 0/01) and emotional response (P < 0/05) was significant. There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms between the two interventions (P ≤ 0/05). In emotional responses, only in the component of dread, the forgiveness therapy group showed better conditions (P < 0/01).

Both interventions can be used to move beyond suffering towards peace and achieving resolution. In addition, considering the type of damage, forgiveness therapy is a more appropriate option.