The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Interpersonal Forgiveness and Marital Intimacy in Women Affected by Marital Infidelity

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of Counseling, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Master of Educational Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran

3 Master of Counseling, Islamic Azad University, SouthTehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

4 Master of Counseling, Islamic Azad University, Quchan Branch, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: The experience of marital infidelity by spouses is a problem that affects the family's foundations and disrupts the marital relationship. The two psychological components to consider in this process are interpersonal forgiveness and marital intimacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on interpersonal forgiveness and marital intimacy in women affected by marital infidelity.
Materials and Methods: In this study, a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control group was used. The statistical population of this study consisted of all women affected by marital infidelity in District 1 of Tehran. From this population, 30 subjects were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The research tools were Interpersonal Pollard Forgiveness Scale and Loveliness Intimacy Questionnaire. The method of treatment was that after the pre-test, acceptance and commitment treatment was administered to the experimental group. Finally, both groups received post-test. Findings were analyzed using covariance.
Results: The results showed that the mean of interpersonal forgiveness and marital intimacy in the experimental group increased after the pre-test. The result of analysis of covariance showed that after eliminating the pre-test effect, the mean of post-test scores in the two groups was statistically significant (p <0.001).
Conclusion: This study shows that acceptance and commitment therapy are effective in increasing interpersonal forgiveness and marital intimacy in women affected by infidelity.

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