Investigating the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on irrational marital beliefs and cognitive flexibility in married couples

Author
zohreh ahmadi
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on marital irrational beliefs and cognitive flexibility in married couples in Tehran. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included all married couples referring to the counseling center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences between October and December 2024. From this population, 30 couples (60 individuals) were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 couples) and a control group (15 couples). The experimental group received 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. The research instruments included the Relationship Beliefs Questionnaire and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy had a significant effect on the study variables. The intervention led to a significant reduction in marital irrational beliefs and a significant increase in cognitive flexibility in the experimental group compared to the control group. Based on the results, cognitive-behavioral therapy, through the modification of cognitive distortions and improvement of problem-solving abilities, can be considered an effective approach for reducing interpersonal misunderstandings and enhancing cognitive adaptation in married couples.
Keywords
cognitive-behavioral therapy
irrational marital beliefs
Cognitive Flexibility
married couples
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