Comparison of the Effect of Self-Compassion & Mentalization Training on Cognitive Flexibility among Married Women Involved in Couple Boredom

Intruduction:

 Marital relations are one of the most important elements of strengthening the family foundation. Cognitive flexibility can be one of the important variables in preventing marital discord, and on the other hand, getting involved in it will cause turmoil and crisis in marital relationships. The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of self-compassion training and mentalization on cognitive flexibility among married women involved in couple boredom.

The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test-follow-up plan with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all married women suffering from Couple Boredom.who referred to the counseling centers of the west of Tehran in 2021. Using the purposeful sampling method, according to the entry and exit criteria, 60 married women were randomly selected into two groups of 20. experimental and a group of 20 people were included as control. Then the participants of experimental group one and two received self-compassion and mindfulness training in 12 separate 90-minute sessions. Couple boredom and cognitive flexibility questionnaires were used to collect information in three measurement stages. In data analysis, analysis of variance with repeated measurements and Bonferroni's post hoc test were used.

The findings of the research showed that self-improvement and mentalization training is effective in improving the cognitive flexibility of married women involved in couple boredom (P≤0.01); So that it has affected all aspects of cognitive flexibility, including perception of controllability, justification of behavior and different options. Also, comparing the results of the effects of the two mentioned educational methods on improving cognitive flexibility and its dimensions in married women involved in couple boredom, no significant difference was found (P>0.01).

Therefore, from the findings of this research, it can be concluded that self-compassion and mentalization training can be used in tense couple relationships caused by couple boredom in order to increase relaxation and mental health.