Group Choice Theory Training on Depression and Social Well-being in Women Affected by Marital Infidelity

After physical violence, marital infidelity could be considered as the most damaging event that could harm both parties and ultimately lead to divorce. Infidelity has also been defined as the defiance of commitment in emotional or sexual relationships, or both, which leads to a departure from fundamental communication without the other party’s consent. The psychological symptoms of spouse–related trauma are very similar to depression as well as inability to enjoy life, severe decline in motivation, disturbed sleep and wakefulness, and severe morning fatigue. Significantly reduced or increased appetite, a tendency for high–risk behaviors, like smoking, a significant decline in sexual desire in males, the disruption of the menstrual cycle in females, inattention, and a tendency to commit suicide or suicidal ideation are other possible symptoms. However, proper functioning in life is not limited to the effects of psychological and emotional well–being and includes social tasks and conflicts. One approach that seems to improve social relationships and negative emotions after recognizing the infidelity of a spouse is reality therapy, i.e., based on Glasser’s choice theory. The theory of control was first developed and renamed the choice theory, accordingly. Choice theory and reality therapy are based on the idea that all behaviors are controlled and perceived. Reality therapy is among the approaches to counseling and psychotherapy that focuses on concepts, such as acceptance of responsibility, reality, and incorrect understanding, as well as their relationship to everyday life. The focus of reality therapy is on learning to be more effective. Humans need to take responsibility for their lives instead of being victims of conditions beyond their control. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Glasser’s group choice theory training on depression and social well–being in women affected by marital infidelity.

This was a quasi–experimental with pretest–posttest and a control group design. The study sample consisted of 20 subjects who were divided into two groups of case and control (n=10/group). Both study groups completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI–II) and Keyes Social Well–Being Questionnaire (1998). The study subjects in the case group were then trained for 10 sessions according to the Glasser choice theory protocol. At the end of training, both groups were reassessed. Data analysis was performed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) by SPSS. The significance level was considered as 0.05.

This study showed that Teaching Glasserchr('39')s theory of choice is useful in depressing women affected by marital infidelity (F=17, 31, p<0.001), and in the social well–being of them (F=13, 67, p<0.001).

The obtained data suggested that Glasser’s group choice theory training had significantly reduced depression and increased social well–being in the explored women affected by marital infidelity.