Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group-Based Emotional Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Intensive Communication Skills Practical Training (PAIRS) in Couples Communication Patterns

The purpose of the present study was to compare EFCT and PAIRS in couple communication patterns.

The purpose of this study was quasi-experimental and pretest-posttest with a control group and two experimental groups. The statistical population of this study was all couples who referred to one of the adolescent counseling centers, Mehrodegar, Cook Life, Imam Hadi Clinic, in order to solve their marital problems. The sample consisted of 4 couples who were randomly assigned into three groups; one experimental group and one control group (8 couples in each group). In fact, the experimental groups each belonged to one of the couples' therapies (Emotion Circuit - Intimate Percussion Communication Skills). The contents of the sessions were prepared according to the basics of Emotion Therapy and Peres' intimate communication skills and were administered to the experimental groups in 9 sessions (one session per week). Data gathering tools were Couples Communication Questionnaire (CPQ) questionnaire that was completed by both groups before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance.

The results showed that the F value was significant at the 0.05 level for all three communication patterns (P <0.05).

Emotion-focused couple therapy and intimate communication skills training are effective on improving couple relationships. Of the two therapeutic approaches, communication skills training was more effective on couples' communication patterns.