The Effect of Enrichment Training based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Communication Patterns and Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Couples

The family system can reduce the sufferings of its members, and the communication and emotional state of the couple play a fundamental role in the psychological safety of this system.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of enrichment training based on acceptance and commitment therapy on communication patterns and emotional cognitive regulation of couples.

The study method is quasi-experimental (pre-test-post-test with the control group). The statistical population included all couples referring to psychological and counseling centers in Qorveh and 40 volunteers were selected based on entry and exit criteria and randomly assigned to the group in experimental and control groups. Then, enrichment training sessions were held in groups for the experimental group and the control group did not receive any intervention. For data collection, the Communication Patterns Questionnaire by Christensen & Sullaway (1984) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by Garnefski (2001) were used. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software.

The results of the present study showed that the experimental intervention was effective. That is, enrichment training based on the approach of acceptance and commitment treatment has a significant effect on the reciprocal constructive dimension in couples (P<0.001). Also, enrichment training based on the approach of acceptance and commitment treatment has a significant effect on the dimension of self-blame in couples (P<0.01).

Based on the findings of the present study, enrichment training based on commitment and acceptance therapy can improve communication patterns and cognitive regulation of emotion in couples and be effective in reducing couples’ tensions and communication challenges.