Comparison of the Effectiveness of Group-Based Emotional Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Intensive Communication Skills Training (PAIRS) on Marital Adjustment

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare EFCT and PAIRS training in marital adjustment. Methodology: The purpose of this study was quasi-experimental and pretest-posttest with a control group and two experimental groups. The statistical population of this study was all couples who referred to a counseling center in Mashhad in 2018 to resolve marital problems. The sample consisted of 4 couples who were randomly assigned to three groups; one experimental group and one control group (8 couples in each group). In fact, the experimental groups each belonged to one of the couples' therapies (Emotion Circuit - Intimate Communication Skills). The contents of the sessions were prepared according to the basics of emotion-focused therapy and intimate communication skills of Perez and were administered to the experimental groups in 9 sessions (one session per week). Data collection tools were Spinner Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (DAS) and Couples Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ) which were completed by both groups before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Findings: Findings showed that emotion-focused couple therapy and intimate communication skills training were effective on improving couples' relationships and increasing their adjustment (P≤0/05). Conclusion: Of the two therapeutic approaches, communication skills training was more effective on marital adjustment than couples' communication patterns and emotion-focused couple therapy.