Effectiveness of Integrated Model of Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Gottman's Model in Internal Cohesion and Reduction of Controlling Behaviors in Couples Faced with Marital Infidelity

Marital infidelity is considered a shocking issue for couples and families and common phenomenon for counselors and therapists.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of an integrated model of emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) and Gottmanchr('39')s model in internal cohesion and reduction of controlling behaviors in couples faced with spousal betrayal.

This quasi-experimental study was carried out on two experimental groups and one control group with a pretest-posttest design. The statistical population of the study included all the women referring to one of the counseling centers in Tehran, Iran, during 2018-2019 due to marital conflicts, problems related to satisfaction, and need for the improvement of marital relationships. The study population was chosen based on purposive sampling after the random screening. The data were collected by the Internal Cohesion Questionnaire and Controlling Behaviors Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to eliminate the effect of pretest using SPSS software (version 22).

The obtained results showed that the integrated model of EFT and Gottmanchr('39')s model had a greater effect on the comprehensibility of the experimental groups than that of the control group. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that EFT and Gottmanchr('39')s model had a significant effect on the reduction of controlling behaviors (P<0.001). The results also revealed that the integrated model of EFT and Gottmanchr('39')s model had a significant effect on internal cohesion and controlling behaviors, and this effect was lasting at follow-up (P<0.001).

It can be concluded that the combination of EFT and Gottmanchr('39')s therapy is an effective pattern in couples affected by infidelity and can be used as one of the therapeutic or educational methods in couple therapy programs.