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IRCT20260429069210N1 IRCT 2026-05-04 Islamic Azad University Comparison of the effectiveness of couple therapy The comparison of the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couple Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy on emotional empathy, sexual self-esteem, relationship quality, and trust in couples with emotional divorce 2026-06-05 anticipated 90 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/89779 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Double blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: In this research, to achieve completely random allocation and eliminate any researcher interference or bias, a simple randomization method will be used. First, a complete list of couples referring to the counseling center who meet the inclusion criteria of the study will be prepared. Then, an initial numerical identification code will be assigned to each of these couples. These codes will be entered into the Random Number Generator software. The software will generate a unique random number for each couple. After the numbers are generated, the participants will be listed in ascending order based on the value of the random number. Then, sequentially, the first to fifteenth couples in the list will be assigned to the first experimental group, the sixteenth to thirtieth couples to the second experimental group, and the thirty-first to forty-fifth couples to the control group. This process will be designed in such a way that the order of entry or the researcher’s knowledge of the participants will have no role in the allocation, and it will not be possible to predict each individual’s group before the completion of randomization, Blinding description: In this study, the researchers, clinical caregivers, outcome assessors, and data analysts will be blinded to the allocation of the study groups. N/A Marital problems of couples. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Acceptance and Commitment-based Couple Therapy is a novel therapeutic approach in the field of couple psychotherapy that focuses on the acceptance of emotional and cognitive experiences, psychological flexibility, and acting based on individual and shared values in the relationship. This approach helps couples, by reducing experiential avoidance and impulsive reactions to negative emotions and thoughts, to have mindful presence in the moment and focus on relational values and goals, shifting their interactions from maladaptive and emotionally distant patterns toward constructive, empathic, and committed behaviors. In this framework, the main goal of the therapy is not to change the content or intensity of thoughts and emotions, but rather to change the individual’s relationship with these experiences and to enhance effective functioning in the marital relationship (Forman & Herbert, 2018). The sessions in this study are based on the book “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” (based on the Acceptance and Commitment therapeutic package) designed by Eifert & Forsyth (2005). The intervention will be conducted in 8 sessions, each 90 minutes long, over the course of one month. In addition, this protocol was translated by Feyzi et al. (2020). Intervention 2: Intervention group: Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy is an advanced and integrative approach that provides empirical strategies for treating marital distress and also individual psychopathology within a distressed relationship (Epstein & Dattilio, 2020; cited in Salehi et al., 2021). In this study, the intervention will be implemented as Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy sessions (Epstein & Baucom, 2002; cited in Salehi et al., 2021) in 10 one-and-a-half-hour sessions for the experimental group. Intervention 3: Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment. Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available Justification or reason for indecision in sharing IPD is Participant data is completely confidential and I do not intend to publish it.
public Jafar kardooni
No. 37, Payam 5 St., Phase 2 Mokhaberat, Baharestan, Golestan Residential Complex.
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6138745175 +98 937 742 8393 rezakord1365j@gmail.com Islamic Azad University scientific Jafar kardooni
No. 37, Payam 5 St., Phase 2 Mokhaberat, Baharestan, Golestan Residential Complex.
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6138745175 +98 937 742 8393 rezakord1365j@gmail.com Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) Be at least 25 and at most 45 years old. Have been married for at least 5 years. Have at least a high school diploma. Be willing to cooperate and participate in couple therapy sessions. 25 years 45 years Both Have psychiatric disorders and use psychiatric medications. Have physical problems that interfere with the intervention process. Z63.0 Problems in relationship with spouse or partner Behavior Behavior N/A Intervention group: Acceptance and Commitment-based Couple Therapy is a novel therapeutic approach in the field of couple psychotherapy that focuses on the acceptance of emotional and cognitive experiences, psychological flexibility, and acting based on individual and shared values in the relationship. This approach helps couples, by reducing experiential avoidance and impulsive reactions to negative emotions and thoughts, to have mindful presence in the moment and focus on relational values and goals, shifting their interactions from maladaptive and emotionally distant patterns toward constructive, empathic, and committed behaviors. In this framework, the main goal of the therapy is not to change the content or intensity of thoughts and emotions, but rather to change the individual’s relationship with these experiences and to enhance effective functioning in the marital relationship (Forman & Herbert, 2018). The sessions in this study are based on the book “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” (based on the Acceptance and Commitment therapeutic package) designed by Eifert & Forsyth (2005). The intervention will be conducted in 8 sessions, each 90 minutes long, over the course of one month. In addition, this protocol was translated by Feyzi et al. (2020) Intervention group: Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy is an advanced and integrative approach that provides empirical strategies for treating marital distress and also individual psychopathology within a distressed relationship (Epstein & Dattilio, 2020; cited in Salehi et al., 2021). In this study, the intervention will be implemented as Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy sessions (Epstein & Baucom, 2002; cited in Salehi et al., 2021) in 10 one-and-a-half-hour sessions for the experimental group. Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment. Emotional empathy. Timepoint: Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Mehrabian and Epstein Emotional Empathy Questionnaire (1972). Sexual self‑esteem. Timepoint: Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Snell et al. Multidimensional Sexual Self‑Concept Questionnaire (1989). Marital relationship quality. Timepoint: Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Busby et al. Marital Quality Scale (1995). Trust in marital relationships. Timepoint: Before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Interpersonal Trust Questionnaire (Rempel & Holmes, 1985). Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-02-23 Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)