Comparing the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the characteristics of Sternberg's love model in couples

Regarding the importance of the love model in the maintenance of marital relationships, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the characteristics of Sternberg's love model in couples who referred to counseling centers due to marital problems. 

In the present study, the statistical population included all the couples referred to the welfare counseling and social emergency centers of Torbat-e-Jam city, Iran, in 2021-2022. Using the purposeful and convenient sampling method and based on the score of Sternberg's Love Scale (1986) in the pre-test, 24 couples were selected and randomly replaced into three equal groups of A, B, and C. Group A received CBT, group B received ACT, and group C was the control group. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate covariance analysis, Tukey post hoc test, and SPSS-22 software. 

The results showed that both CBT and ACT were effective on scores of Sternberg's Love Scale (P< 0.01), but the effect of ACT was more than CBT in passion and intimacy components (P< 0.05). 

The results showed that CBT and ACT improved the characteristics of Sternberg's love model, especially ACT was more effective. It is suggested that therapists and couple therapy specialists consider these treatment methods to improve marital relationships.