The effectiveness of skills training based on emotion-oriented approach on anxiety sensitivity and emotion control of women affected by extramarital relationships

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of teaching skills based on an emotion-oriented approach to anxiety sensitivity and controlling the emotions of women affected by extramarital relationships. This research was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test, post-test, and control group with a follow-up phase for two months. The statistical population included all women affected by extramarital relationships who had been referred to psychological clinics and specialized marriage centers (under the welfare organization) in Tehran in order to use psychological services in 2021-2022. The statistical sample included 30 of these women who were selected as available. Then, 15 people were randomly replaced in the control group and 15 people in the experimental group. The intervention group received skills training based on an emotion-oriented approach during 8 sessions of 90 minutes once a week. The data were collected using Floyd et al.'s anxiety sensitivity scale (ASI) (2005) and Williams et al.'s emotion control scale (ACQ) (1997) and analyzed by variance analysis with repeated measures. The results showed that the training of skills based on the emotion-oriented approach is effective in reducing anxiety sensitivity and increasing emotion control (P<0.05), which reported 54.7% of anxiety sensitivity and 85.4% of emotion control. It can be concluded that this intervention was able to reduce anxiety sensitivity and increase the control of emotions to a large extent, and therefore can be used in the treatment of psychological injuries caused by extramarital relationships.