Comparison of the effectiveness of schema-based couple therapy and emotion-focusedcouple therapy on the spouse acceptance in couples with marital disputes

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema-based couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy on spouse acceptance in couples with marital disputes in Ilam. The present study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a tree -month follow -up. The statistical population comprised 105 couples who were referred to counseling centers during the second half of 2021. Of all the couples, 30 were chosen through the convenient sampling method. The participants were then randomly split into three groups: emotion-focused therapy (n=10), schema-focused therapy (n=10), and controls (n=10). Participants acquiring emotion-focused therapy were furnished with Johnson's training package (Johnson, 2012) for nine sessions. During the same period, those receiving schema-focused therapy were given a package presented by Young et al (2003). The controls received no intervention. The study tool was Rohner and Khaleque’s Intimate Partner Acceptance, Rejection, and Control Questionnaire (2005, IARQ). Data were analyzed by the Repeated Measures ANOVA. The findings indicated a significant difference in the "partner acceptance" variable between the schema-based/emotion-focused groups and the control group in the post-test and follow-up phases (P<0. 05). Also, no significant difference was observed between the degree to which that schema-based couple therapy (SBCT) and emotion-focused couple therapy (EFCT) affect partner acceptance (P>0. 05). Therefore, it can be concluded that SBCT and EFCT can serve as two methods affecting the level of partner acceptance among spouses with marital conflict.