The effect of couple therapy based on Schoenaker encouragement approach on improving psychological flexibility, cognitive emotion regulation and communication patterns of couples in Shiraz

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of couple therapy based on Schoenaker encouragement approach on improving psychological flexibility, cognitive emotion regulation and communication patterns of couples in Shiraz. The research method was experimental and research design was the quasi-(semi-experimental) with pre-test, post-test and follow-up with the control group. First, the pretest was performed on both groups using research tools, then the therapeutic intervention was performed on the experimental group and the posttest was completed by both groups. Three months later, the follow-up test was performed and the results of pre-test, post-test and follow-up were compared. The statistical population included all couples in Shiraz in the spring quarter of 1400. The statistical sample ncluded 30 people (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) who were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to the two experimental and control groups. Research instruments included the Garnefski & Kraaij Cognitive Emotion Regulation (2006), Dennis and Vanderwall Cognitive Flexibility (2010) and the Adilson & Epstein Couples Communication Patterns (1982) questionnaires. The results showed that couple therapy based on Schoenaker encouragement approach had an effect on the couple's psychological flexibility and its component, positive emotion regulation (further increase of positive emotion regulation scores), negative emotion regulation (further decrease of negative emotion regulation scores) and psychological flexibility in the post-test and follow-up test. According to the research findings, it can be concluded that couple therapy based on Schoenaker encouragement approach can be used to improve psychological flexibility, cognitive emotion regulation and couples’ communication patterns.