Comparing the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Irrational Beliefs and Perfectionism in Incompatible Couples

Numerous couples who encounter conflicts present harmful perfectionism and irrational beliefs concerning marriage, which can be improved using different approaches. Successful marriage satisfies various biopsychological needs in couples. In case of failure, spouses, and especially their children, face severe psychological trauma. Thus, it is critical to investigate factors, such as irrational beliefs and negative perfectionism; consequently, such conditions generate anxiety in couples. Besides, it possibly reduces the durability and survival of marital bonds. Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is considered to improve irrational beliefs and perfectionism in couples. Additionally, a practical psychotherapy method that targets inevitable problems is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is among the third wave behavioral therapy approaches. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the effects of MBCT and ACT on irrational beliefs and perfectionism in incompatible couples.

The statistical population of this study included all couples with marital disorders referring to a counseling center in Ilam City, Iran, from April 2018 to August 2018 (N=214). A sample of 30 couples was selected by the voluntary sampling method. Next, they were randomly assigned into two experimental and one control groups (n=10 couples/group). The experimental groups either received MBCT or ACT. The inclusion criteria of the study were as follows: couples with marital conflicts, minimum diploma education, passing at least 2 years and a maximum of 15 years of marriage history, and not simultaneously participating in other counseling or psychology sessions. The exclusion criteria included concurrent participation in another treatment program, having mental health disorders based on clinical interviews, and absence from>2 treatment sessions. Both interventions were performed in eight 90–minute weekly sessions for two months. The necessary data were collected using the Measures of Irrational Belief (Ellis, 1985) and the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Frost et al., 1990). The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics, using univariate Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Least Significant Difference (LSD) post hoc test in SPSS.

There was a significant difference between the mean values of the 3 groups respecting irrational beliefs (p<0.001). Therefore, there was a significant difference in posttest data after eliminating the pretest effects in this regard. The Eta–squared vale also indicated that 31% of the changes in irrational beliefs were due to the effect of the provided MBCT and ACT. The difference between the mean scores of the 3 groups in perfectionism was also significant (p<0.001). Therefore, there was a significant difference in the mean values of perfectionism between the MBCT and ACT groups. The Eta–squared value also revealed that 38% of the changes in perfectionism were induced by the effects of MBCT and ACT. There was no significant difference between the experimental groups concerning the therapeutic effects; both treatment approaches provided almost the same influence on reducing perfectionism (p=0.946) and irrational beliefs in the explored couples (p=0.450).

The present research data suggested that MBCT and ACT can be used to reduce irrational beliefs and perfectionism among incompatible couples in psychology and counseling centers. Therefore, these approaches could be implemented to improve the quality of marital relationships.