Effectiveness of existential therapy on marital forgiveness and family function of women affected by marital infidelity

The purpose of present study was to investigate effectiveness of existential therapy on marital forgiveness and family function of women affected by marital infidelity.

A single-case study design was used and four women affected by marital infidelity were selected through purposeful sampling method. The subjects completed the family forgiveness scale (Pollard & et al, 1998) and the general subscale of McMaster family assessment device (Epstein & et al, 1983) in baseline, treatment, and follow-up stages. The participants individually received 8-session intervention of existential therapy and the assessment was performed in four baseline stages, four treatment stages and two follow-up stages. The data were analyzed using graph analysis, improvement percentile rank and reliable change index.

The results showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in forgiveness and family functioning after receiving the treatment. After two months of follow-up, the differences were maintained, indicating the sustainability of the therapeutic effects.