Comparing the Effectiveness of Combined Therapy (Emotional Focused Couple & Reality Therapy) with Schema Therapy on Marital Satisfaction in Heterogeneous and Conflicting Couples: A Single Case Study

Marital satisfaction is one of the variables easily affected by the relationship between couples. Statistics show an increase in divorce due to marital dissatisfaction. Therefore, this study compared the effectiveness of combined therapy with schema therapy on marital satisfaction in heterogeneous and conflicting couples.

The research was a single case study with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design. The statistical population included conflicting couples referred to the Parsa counseling clinic in Bandar-e-Torkmen County in 2021. Among them, six couples (husband and wife) were selected based on the research entry criteria, structured clinical interview, and marital satisfaction questionnaire (Olson et al., 1987) using purposive sampling. The subjects of the two groups of combined therapy and schema therapy received 12 weekly sessions (two sessions, 90 minutes each) separately. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, visual analysis of graph with reliable change index (RCI≥ 1.96), and recovery percentage were used in the results report.

The findings of the research showed that both methods of integrated treatment and schema therapy had made statistically and clinically significant changes in the treatment goals (p<0.05), and the therapeutic effects continued in the follow-up period (RCI≥ 1.96). However, the percentage of recovery in the combined therapy group (PND=38.70 & p=0.018) was higher than in the schema therapy group (PND=27.45 & p=0.024).

Combined therapy was effective in increasing the marital satisfaction of couples; thus, it can be used in medical centers to improve family and marital function.