M Sadeghi , H Bagholi , R Azarmidakht , H Javidi ,
Volume 29, Issue 5 (10-2024)
Abstract
Background & aim: Marital violence is a social and psychological problem which has profound and negative effects on individuals' mental and physical health and can lead to a desire for separation and divorce, and consequently negative consequences for couples and children. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on marital violence and the desire for separation in couples seeking divorce.
Methods: The present study applied a quasi-experimental, semi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test structure, including a control group. The statistical sample consisted of 40 individuals selected from all couples seeking divorce in Yasuj, Iran, who were referred to family counseling centers in the first three months of 2023. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two groups of 20, comprising the ACT-based couples therapy group (10 couples) and the control group (10 couples), which did not receive any treatment. Before and after the therapeutic interventions, participants responded to the Zarei Divorce Desire Scale and the Couple Abuse Questionnaire developed by Ghahari and colleagues. The collected data were analyzed using statistical tests, specifically Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).
Results: Results from the MANCOVA indicated that ACT-based couples therapy positively impacted the reduction of marital violence and its dimensions, including physical and emotional violence, in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, it did not have a significant effect on reducing sexual violence. The effect size for the reduction of marital violence was 0.281, with a greater impact observed on physical violence. Additionally, ACT-based couples therapy positively influenced the reduction of the desire for separation and its dimensions (desire to exit the relationship and desire for reconciliation) in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05), and its effect was (0.773).
Conclusion: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can effectively reduce marital violence and the desire for separation among couples by focusing on the acceptance of negative emotions and thoughts and enhancing commitment to shared values and goals. This approach provides couples with tools to address their emotional challenges in a healthier manner and improve their relationships.
