Investigating the Effectiveness f Counseling Based on Extramarital Relationships on Marital Instability in Couples with Extramarital Relationships

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of counseling based on extramarital relationships on marital instability in couples with extramarital relationships. The research design was semi-experimental, pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population included all couples with extramarital relationships who referred to counseling centers in Shiraz in 2021. 32 couples were selected as a sample by purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (16 couples) and a control group (16 couples). The intervention group underwent 60-minute extramarital relationship therapy in 11 sessions, once a week but no action was taken on the control group. The research tools of marriage instability were Edward, Johnson and Alan Booth (1987). Data analysis was done with descriptive tests (mean and standard deviation) and univariate covariance analysis using SPSS version 23 software. It showed that the treatment of extramarital relationships had an effect on the stability of marriage in unfaithful couples (P < 0.001). According to the results of this research, the treatment of extramarital relationships can be used to reduce the problems of couples and increase the stability of their lives through increasing the individual's insight into himself and the awareness of why marital infidelity occurs and escalates.