Comparing the effectiveness of Gottman's couple therapy with Glasser's reality-based couple therapy on cognitive flexibility and sense of coherence in couples with conflict

Authors
shiva kaveh ahangari
zohreh ganbari
Fatemeh Ameneh Aghareb parast
Elnaz Baniani
zahra sadat hoseini
Abstract
One of the fundamental indicators in explaining the quality of marital relationships is marital conflict, which, if managed ineffectively, becomes one of the main grounds for tension and the breakdown of family relationships. The present study compared the effectiveness of Gottman couple therapy with Glasser’s reality therapy-based couple therapy on cognitive flexibility and sense of coherence in couples experiencing conflict. The statistical population of the study consisted of couples referred to the Zehn Ara Psychology Clinic in Tehran in the year 1404 (2025–2026) due to marital conflict. The sampling method was convenience and purposeful. To collect data, the Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire and Antonovsky (1993) Sense of Coherence Questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The findings showed that Gottman couple therapy was more effective than Glasser’s reality therapy on cognitive flexibility and sense of coherence in women experiencing conflict. It can be concluded that Gottman couple therapy is more effective in improving cognitive flexibility and sense of coherence in women with marital conflict. Therefore, based on the research findings, it can be utilized to reduce problems in individuals experiencing marital conflicts.
Keywords
Gottman Couple Therapy
Glasser Reality Therapy Couple Therapy
Cognitive Flexibility
sense of coherence
conflict
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