Comparison of the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Couple Therapy and Glaser's Couple Therapy on Communication Patterns and Psychological Flexibility in Spouses Affected by Extramarital Relationships

Reviewing the research literature shows that extramarital relationships are becoming prevalent in the family structure in various forms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of solution-focused brief couple therapy and Glaser's couple therapy on communication patterns and psychological flexibility in spouses affected by extramarital relationships.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all couples with extramarital affairs who were admitted to counseling centers in Tehran during the period from March to May 2020. The study sample consisted of 45 couples who were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants completed questionnaires of communication patterns and psychological flexibility before performing the interventions. The experimental group received couple-centered group therapy interventions and glaucoma couple therapy. Finally, post-test was taken from all three groups. Data were analyzed using multivariate covariance using SPSSV19 software.

The results showed that there was a significant difference in communication patterns and psychological resilience between the two groups of solution-oriented couple therapy (p<0.01) and glacial couple therapy (p<0.05) with the control group. It is more effective than glaucoma couple therapy.

Based on the results of this study, it can be said that using solution-oriented couple therapy and Glaser couple therapy in communication patterns and psychological flexibility of spouses affected by extramarital relationships is effective and knowledge of expert in the fields of counseling, psychology and health can help.