The effectiveness of emotionally focused couple therapy on marital burnout, dysfunctional attitudes, and self-handicapping of clients seeking divorce

Regarding the increasing rate of divorce and the high level of marital burnout among divorce clients, the present study aims to assess the effectiveness of emotionally-focused couple therapy on marital burnout, dysfunctional attitudes, and self-handicapping in couples. 

The statistical population included all couples applying for divorce who went to counseling centers in the 4th district of Mashhad-Iran, in the first quarter of 2023. Thirty-two couples were voluntarily selected using the convenient sampling method. Then, they divided randomly into two equal experimental and control groups. The experimental group received emotionally focused couple therapy in 8 sessions. The data was collected using the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS), the Marital Burnout Questionnaire, and the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS). We analyzed the data aiding SPSS version 23 software, the descriptive and inferential statistics, and multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance tests. ​ 

Based on the findings, the mean scores of the experimental group in marital burnout, dysfunctional attitudes, and self-handicapping were reduced significantly compared to the controls (P< 0.05). 

According to the results, emotionally focused couple therapy has positive effects on marital burnout, dysfunctional attitudes, and self-handicapping in clients seeking divorce. So, this therapy is suggested for couples who experience marital problems and marital burnout.