مقایسه اثربخشی زوج‌درمانی شناختی‌رفتاری و زوج‌درمانی طرحواره‌محور بر بهبود الگوهای ارتباطی زوجین، عملکرد جنسی و کارکردهای روان‌شناختی زوجین

نسرین علی گل تبار آهنگر; حمزه اکبری

Authors

Nasrin Aligoltabar Ahangar Department of Psychology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9301-3585
Hamze Akbari Department of Psychology, Az.C., Islamic Azad University, Azad Shahr, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9263-1106

Keywords:

Cognitive, behavioral couples therapy, schema, based couples therapy, improvement of couples' communication patterns, sexual functioning

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and schema-focused couple therapy in improving communication patterns, sexual functioning, and psychological functioning among couples attending the Parto Omid Counseling Center in Fereydunkenar. This applied study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population comprised couples attending the Parto Omid Counseling Center in Fereydunkenar in 2026. Following purposive screening, 48 eligible participants were randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, schema-focused couple therapy, and control groups, with 16 participants in each group. Data were collected using the Communication Patterns Questionnaire, sexual functioning questionnaires, and the Iranian Family Psychological Functioning Scale. Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy was delivered in ten 90-minute sessions, whereas schema-focused couple therapy consisted of ten weekly 50-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, multivariate analysis of covariance, and Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons. Inferential analyses indicated significant posttest differences among the groups in psychological functioning (F=8.739, p=.005), communication patterns (F=36.694, p<.001), and sexual functioning (F=10.151, p=.003). Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons further demonstrated that both intervention groups differed significantly from the control group across all dependent variables. Direct comparison of the two active treatments showed that schema-focused couple therapy produced significantly greater improvement than cognitive-behavioral couple therapy in psychological functioning (MD=53.17), sexual functioning (MD=6.12), and communication patterns (MD=−14.35). Both cognitive-behavioral and schema-focused couple therapies are effective interventions for improving couples’ communication, sexual functioning, and psychological functioning. However, the superior effects observed for schema-focused couple therapy suggest that addressing deeper maladaptive schemas and enduring emotional patterns may provide greater therapeutic benefits for couples experiencing multidimensional and persistent relational difficulties.

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