The effectiveness of emotion-oriented therapy on early maladaptive schemas during marriage

Marriage is one of the most important events in the life of any person, which is influenced by characteristics of the person before marriage, such as the early maladaptive schemas. One of the treatment approaches proposed for early maladaptive schemas is emotion therapy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on early maladaptive schemas during marriage.

Methods and Materials:

 The present research plan is quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow-up. For this purpose, a sample of 40 couples were selected during the marriage using the available sampling method and filled out the Yang (1990) early maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire. They were given emotion-focused therapy for 12 sessions. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance.

The results showed that emotion-focused therapy was effective on early maladaptive schemas (p=0.05). The results showed that the interactive effect of time * group and intergroup source had a significant difference in participantschr scores regarding early maladaptive schemas (p=0.01).

Thus, emotion-focused therapy increases coupleschr involvement in emotion regulation by improving awareness, cognition, and emotion regulation, and reduces cognitive deviations resulting from early maladaptive schemas.