The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) on Marital Conflicts and Improvement of Intimacy in Divorce Applicant Couples

Introduction: Malfunction in intimacy and marital conflicts have always been considered as one of the principal reasons for couples’ divorce. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on marital conflicts and improvement of intimacy in divorce applicant couples. Methods: This study was quasi-experimental with a pretest, posttest, and control group. The data statistical population includes all of divorce applicant couples referred to the intervention crisis center of Mashhad in winter 2019. The sample includes thirty couples, divided into fifteen couples in each control and experimental group. They were voluntarily selected by convenience sampling with replacement. The experimental group underwent twelve sessions of ninety minutes educated on acceptance and commitment therapy protocol while the control group was not under any intervention. Both groups were requested to answer the marital conflict questionnaire and intimacy scale. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis and SPSS software. Results: The results have shown that acceptance and commitment therapy was effective in the reduction of marital conflicts and improvement of intimacy in divorce applicant couples.(P<0.01) Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, it could be concluded that ACT group training is an effective intervention and recommended to reduce marital conflicts and improve intimacy.