Determining the effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy on marital burnout, positive and negative emotions, and couples' emotional processing
Design
A randomized controlled trial with a mosaic group on 40 couples with marital conflicts. Randomized block method was used for randomization.
Settings and conduct
This study is conducted in Mehr and Mah Counseling Center in Semnan, couples suffering from marital conflicts are included in the study. We will place the couples in two groups of 20 people randomly. The experimental group will receive the emotion-oriented couple therapy package. The control group will not be affected by any experiment.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: couples in the age range of 20 to 50 years, at least 3 years have passed since their marriage and are diagnosed with problems of marital burnout. Exclusion criteria: unwillingness to continue participating in the sessions, absence in more than two therapy sessions, and couples not cooperating during the therapy sessions.
Intervention groups
In this research, the intervention group participates in 10 sessions of emotion-oriented couples therapy. Each session is held for 60 minutes and is implemented on a weekly basis. The content of the sessions is designed based on the principles and techniques of emotion-oriented couple therapy, which includes identifying and expressing emotions, positive and negative interactions between couples, and improving emotional processing. The control group received no specific therapeutic intervention and only usual and standard care, including general counseling or other standard services that may be available.
Main outcome variables
Marital burnout, positive and negative emotions and emotional processing
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20240722062517N1
Registration date:2024-07-25, 1403/05/04
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2024-07-25, 1403/05/04
Update count:0
Registration date
2024-07-25, 1403/05/04
Registrant information
Name
Marziyeh Nikooyi
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 23 3332 2904
Email address
marziyehnikooyi@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2024-07-31, 1403/05/10
Expected recruitment end date
2024-08-31, 1403/06/10
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy on marital burnout, positive and negative emotions, and couples' emotional processing
Public title
The effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy on marital burnout, positive and negative emotions, and couples' emotional processing
Purpose
Treatment
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Couples diagnosed with marital burnout problems.
Couples should be between 20 and 50 years old.
Couples who have been married for at least 3 years.
Couples who wish to participate in emotional couple therapy sessions and have signed an informed consent form.
Couples who are not currently in the process of divorce or separation.
Absence of acute psychiatric problems requiring immediate treatment (such as schizophrenia or acute bipolar disorder).
Couples who are married permanently.
Exclusion criteria:
Couples who do not want to continue attending sessions during the study.
Occurrence of new problems that require immediate intervention outside the scope of emotion-oriented couple therapy.
Absence in more than two treatment sessions without a valid reason.
Deciding to divorce or separate during the study period.
Lack of cooperation of couples in completing questionnaires or doing exercises related to the study.
Initiation or escalation of drug or alcohol use during the study period.
Age
From 20 years old to 50 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this research, 40 couples are randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. For randomization, the method of random blocks is used so that the number of couples in each group is equal. First, a number is assigned to each of the 40 couples. Then these numbers are written on papers and the papers are folded and placed inside a container. In order to randomize the allocation, the papers are mixed well and removed from the container one by one. The first number is assigned to the intervention group, the second number to the control group, and so on until all pairs are assigned. This process is designed to assign couples to groups completely randomly and without bias. For greater certainty, an independent person who is not involved in the research will perform this randomization process. This method ensures that each couple has an equal chance of being placed in the intervention or control group.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics committee of Semnan Azad University
Street address
Islamic Azad University, University Town, Semnan, Iran
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3513137111
Approval date
2024-03-02, 1402/12/12
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.SEMNAN.REC.1403.029
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Marital Conflicts
ICD-10 code
Z63.0
ICD-10 code description
Problems in relationship with spouse or partner
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Marriage Burnout
Timepoint
Before starting the intervention and after completing 10 intervention sessions.
Method of measurement
Pines Marital Depression Questionnaire (1996)
2
Description
Positive and Negative Emotions
Timepoint
Before starting the intervention and after completing 10 intervention sessions.
Method of measurement
Watson et al.'s scale of positive and negative emotions (1988)
3
Description
Emotional Processing
Timepoint
Before starting the intervention and after completing 10 intervention sessions.
Method of measurement
Thomas and Owens emotional processing scale (2007)
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Intervention group: In this research, the experimental group will receive emotion-oriented couple therapy in 10 one-hour sessions for one month. The first stage of emotion-oriented couple therapy, i.e. de-escalation, focuses on identifying negative interaction patterns that help resolve conflict, identifying negative emotions related to attachment issues, and reframing these issues. In the second stage, restructuring, each partner learns to share their feelings and show acceptance and compassion towards each other. This step helps each couple to be more responsive to their partner's needs. In the final phase of emotion-focused couple therapy, a therapist helps the couple work on new communication strategies and practice skills when interacting with each other. This process can help husband and wife see how new patterns of interaction prevent conflict.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Control group: It does not receive any intervention and acts as a comparison group. In other words, the control group received only usual and standard care. This means that this group does not experience any additional treatment or intervention related to the research topic during the research period, and their conditions are kept in such a way that the results can be compared with the intervention group that receives emotion-oriented couple therapy. The purpose of this work is to have a basis for comparing and accurately evaluating the effects of emotion-oriented therapy.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Mehr and Mah Counseling Center
Full name of responsible person
Ruqiya Omrani
Street address
unit 3, 4th floor, Nagin complex, Imam Square, Saadi St, Semnan.
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3517884585
Phone
+98 23 3332 3565
Email
mehrvamahsemnan@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Full name of responsible person
Shahab Moradi
Street address
Islamic Azad University, University Town, Semnan, Iran
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3513137111
Phone
+98 23 3365 4040
Email
shahabmoradi66@gmail.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Full name of responsible person
Marziyeh Nikooyi
Position
Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Unit 7, No. 323, Asjodi St., Ferdous Garden.
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3514617964
Phone
+98 23 3332 2904
Email
marziyehnikooyi@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Full name of responsible person
Shahab Moradi
Position
Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University, University Town, Semnan, Iran
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3513137111
Phone
+98 23 3365 4040
Email
shahabmoradi66@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Semnan branch
Full name of responsible person
Marziyeh Nikooyi
Position
Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Unit 7, No. 323, Asjodi St., Ferdous Garden.
City
Semnan
Province
Semnan
Postal code
3514617964
Phone
+98 23 3332 2904
Email
marziyehnikooyi@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Not applicable
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Not applicable
Data Dictionary
Not applicable
Title and more details about the data/document
Demographic data and the results of the main outcome of the research can be shared after de-identifying and preserving the privacy of individuals.
When the data will become available and for how long
Data can be made available 6 months after results are printed and after removing personally identifiable information.
To whom data/document is available
Study data and documentation will be available to researchers and researchers working in accredited academic and scientific institutions. These people can access the data by submitting a request and after reviewing and approving the request. In addition, researchers who are working in the industry related to the research topic can also apply to receive data and documentation, provided that their request is approved. The purpose of these restrictions is to ensure the responsible and ethical use of research data and documentation.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Research data and documents can be used for scientific and research purposes. Applications should specify the research objective and explain how the data will contribute to that objective. Only analyzes that are consistent with the primary research objectives are allowed. Users must undertake to keep de-identified data confidential and to publish the results of analyzes in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Requests must be submitted in writing and include a full description of the purpose, methods, and type of analysis. After review and approval by the committee, users should share the results with the principal investigator to confirm the validity and accuracy of the analyses.
From where data/document is obtainable
If you need the data, write to marziyehnikooyi@gmail.com.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
After receiving the request and reviewing it by the main researcher, the data will be sent to the applicant along with a letter of commitment stating that the data will not be published without the name of the main researcher within a maximum of one week.