Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on Changing Conflict Resolution Styles of Military Personnel and Their Spouses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Quasi-Experimental Study

Background and Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a great deal of conflict and tension between couples and their families. Meanwhile, less attention has been paid to potential tensions and conflicts in families exposed to high stress, such as military families. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy on changing the conflict resolution styles in military personnel and their spouses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 66 military personnel and their spouses were included. They were then assigned to the case (n=32) and the control (n=34) groups using block randomization method. Data were collected by using a demographic information form and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II. The later form was completed before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral therapy was presented to the case group during 9 sessions. Each session lasted 90 minutes. The Control group underwent no intervention. Independent t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data by SPPSS software (version 22). Results: The results showed that the use of non-constructive conflict resolution style was significantly reduced in the case group compared to the control group (P<0.001) after the implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition, it was found that the use of constructive conflict resolution style increased significantly in the case group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced the use of non-constructive conflict resolution style but increased the use of constructive conflict resolution style among military personnel and their spouses.