The Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy on Experiential Avoidance, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Rejection Sensitivity in Couples
Journal of Family Relations Studies
مقاله 6 ، دوره 5، شماره 4 - شماره پیاپی 19 ، دی 2025، صفحه 44-53 1.16 M )
نوع مقاله: Original Article
شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22098/jfrs.2025.17642.1249 نویسندگان
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi* 1 Mohammadreza Noroozi Homayoon 2 Mohamad Hatami Nejad 3 1 Professor of Counseling Department, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.2 Ph.D. student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.3 PhD student in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.چکیده Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on experiential avoidance, cognitive emotion regulation, and rejection sensitivity in couples.Methods: This research employed a quantitative, applied design using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group model. The statistical population included all distressed couples who sought counseling services in Ardabil between 2024 and 2025. From this population, 30 couples whose scores exceeded the cut-off point of 135 were randomly selected and assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Research instruments included the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II), and the short form of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-SF). The intervention was based on Sue Johnson’s EFCT protocol, implemented in nine 90-minute sessions for the experimental group.Results: Covariance analysis showed that EFCT significantly reduced experiential avoidance, improved cognitive emotion regulation, and decreased rejection sensitivity in distressed couples (p < .001). The effect size ranged from 65% to 68%, indicating a substantial impact on improving couple relationships.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that EFCT has a significant and positive effect on experiential avoidance, cognitive emotion regulation, and rejection sensitivity in couples.کلیدواژهها
Cognitive Emotion Regulation ؛ Couples ؛ Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ؛ Experiential Avoidance ؛ Rejection Sensitivity
مراجع
Abasi, E., Fti, L., Molodi, R., & Zarabi, H. (2012). Psychometric properties of the Persian Version of Acceptance and Action Questionnaire –II. Psychological Models and Methods, 3(10), 65-80 . https://jpmm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_61_21af488ece7d0446040f5daca6e18c08.pdf
Ahmadi, S., Mokhtari, M., Sedaghat, H., & Golkhani, S. (2025). Quantitative Development of Mass Media and Divorce Rate in Iran During 1997- 2022: A Time-Series Study. Strategic communication studies , -. Doi:10.22034/rcc.2025.2042285.1167
Alacha, H. F., Walbridge, F. C., Harton, H. C., Vasko, J. M., Bodalski, E. A., Rother, Y., & Lefler, E. K. (2025). Cognitive emotion regulation and learning effectiveness in college students with ADHD symptoms. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping , 38 (1), 73-89. Doi:10.1080/10615806.2024.2379986
Amanloo, F., Rajabi, M., & Nayyeri, M. (2024). A comparative study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and emotion-focused therapy in reducing experiential avoidance in patients with peptic ulcer disease [Research]. Feyz Medical Sciences Journal , 28 (5), 519-528. Doi:10.48307/fmsj.2024.28.5.519
Amini, D., Noroozi Homayoon, M., & Almasi, M. (2022). Relationship between Attachment Styles and Aggression with Individual-Social Adjustment in Married Women Referring to Family Counseling Centers in Hamedan city. Journal of Family Relations Studies , 2 (5), 23-30. Doi:10.22098/jhrs.2022.9528.1018
Biran Talmor, S., Shahar, B., A. Sbarra, D., & Bar-Kalifa, E. (2025). The Development of a Brief Session-Level Process Measure for Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy. Family Process , 64 (1), e70000. Doi:10.1111/famp.70000
Bond, F. W., Hayes, S. C., Baer, R. A., Carpenter, K. M., Guenole, N., Orcutt, H. K., Waltz, T., & Zettle, R. D. (2011). Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II: A Revised Measure of Psychological Inflexibility and Experiential Avoidance. Behavior Therapy , 42 (4), 676-688. Doi:10.1016/j.beth.2011.03.007
Cinek, B. Y., Varan, M. P., Yaprak, G., & Altıntaş, M. (2025). Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Its Impact on Sexual Function, Body Image, and Depression in Breast Cancer Survivors. Psychiatry Investig , 22 (3), 330-339 . Doi:10.30773/pi.2024.0349
Dehghani Neyestani, H., Atashpour, S. H., & Torkan, H. (2025). The Impact of Transactional Analysis Group Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Emotional Regulation in Female College Students Following Romantic Breakups. Women’s Health Bulletin , 12 (2), 119-128. Doi:10.30476/whb.2025.104565.1323
Delavar, A. (2016). Research methods in psychology and educational sciences . Tehran: Roshd.
Demir, S., & Kan, M. O. (2025). Developing the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS) for Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Dysfunctional Emotion Regulation in the Effect of Irrational Beliefs on Public Speaking Anxiety. Behavioral Sciences , 15 (6), 825. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/6/825
Downey, G., & Feldman, S. I. (1996). Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 70 (6), 1327-1343. Doi:10.1037/0022-3514.70.6.1327
Elballah, K., & Alsayed, A. (2025). Teachers’ perceptions of rejection sensitivity in inclusive primary schools: qualitative case study [Original Research]. Frontiers in Education , Volume 10 - 2025 . Doi:10.3389/feduc.2025.1511176
Ertezaee, B., Neissi, A., Hamid, N., & Davoudi, I. (2023). The effectiveness of emotion focused therapy on mental pain, experiential avoidance, and forgiveness in women with depression, who experienced a romantic relationship breakup [Research]. Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry , 9 (6), 64-77 . Doi:10.32598/shenakht.9.6.64
Farajkhah Farkhani, M., Abedi Noghondar, M., & Moshtaghi, E. (2025). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotionally-focused Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral Therapy on Improving Emotion Regulation and Marital Satisfaction in Couples with Conflicts with Alertness-inhibition early Maladaptive Schema. Razavi International Journal of Medicine , 13 (1), 185-196. Doi:10.30483/rijm.2025.254529.1329
Gharadaghi, A., & Masoumi Ala, S. (2022). Investigating the Role of Emotional Self-Awareness, Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Social Adequacy in Predicting Marital Satisfaction. Journal of Family Relations Studies , 2 (4), 32-39 . Doi:10.22098/jhrs.2022.9781.1034
Gratz, K. L., & Roemer, L. (2004). Multidimensional assessment of emotion regulation and dysregulation: Development, factor structure, and initial validation of the difficulties in emotion regulation scale. Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment , 26 , 41-54. Doi:10.1023/B:JOBA.0000007455.08539.94
Hasani, H., Ghazanfari, A., & Sharifi, T. (2024). Comparing the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring therapy and emotion-focused psychotherapy on sensitivity to rejection and social competence among people with spinal cord injury [Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing]. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research , 19 (5), 1-17. Doi:10.22034/ijnr.19.5.1
Hatami Nejad, M., Sadri Damirchi, E., Akhavi Samarein, Z., Jafari Moradlo, M., & Noroozi Homayoon, M. (2024). Comparing the Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy on Primary Maladaptive Schemas, Impulsivity and Depression in Students with Suicidal Thoughts. Journal of Psychological Studies , 20 (3), 7-23. Doi:10.22051/psy.2024.47061.2955
Hertegård, E. (2025). Divorce law reform, family stability, and children's long-term outcomes .
Homayoon, M. N., & Almasi, M. (2021). The Role of Family Communication Patterns and Parenting Styles in the Self-Esteem of Students with Learning Disabilities. Journal of Family Relations Studies , 1 (2), 17-27. Doi:10.22098/jhrs.2021.1276
Johnson, S. M. (2008). Emotionally focused couple therapy. Clinical handbook of couple therapy , 4 , 107-137.
Katsikas, M. J., Kennedy, M. C., Tappenden, P. C., Cole, T. A., & Orcutt, H. K. (2025). Potentially morally injurious events and posttraumatic symptomatology: The role of experiential avoidance. Traumatology , No Pagination Specified-No Pagination Specified. Doi:10.1037/trm0000533
Kaufman, E. A., Xia, M., Fosco, G., Yaptangco, M., Skidmore, C. R., & Crowell, S. E. (2016). The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Short Form (DERS-SF): Validation and replication in adolescent and adult samples. Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment , 38 , 443-455. Doi:10.1007/s10862-015-9529-3
Kayhan, F., Ghanifar, M., & Ahi, Q. (2023). Comparing the effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy and acceptance and commitment-based couple therapy on cognitive indicators (experiential avoidance and emotion regulation) in couples affected by extramarital relationships. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies , 4 , 9-19. Doi:10.61838/kman.jayps.4.3.2
Khorshidi Mianaie, H., Karimi, f., Boland, H., & Ayadi, N. (2023). Comparison of Communication Skills, Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies and Communication Patterns in Women with and Without Experience of Domestic Violence (An Analytical-comparative Study). Journal of Family Relations Studies , 3 (8), 40-46. Doi:10.22098/jhrs.2022.11460.1067
Khoshkam, S., Bahrami, F., Rahmatollahi, F., & Najarpourian, S. (2014). Psychometric Properties of Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire in University Students in Iran. Psychological Research , 17 (1), 24. https://www.magiran.com/paper/1338147
Kocyigit, M., & Uzun, M. (2025). Emotion regulation and couple burnout in marriage: A moderated moderation model of authenticity, sex of parents and having children. Current Psychology . Doi:10.1007/s12144-024-07253-1
Kuyumcu, B. E., & and Muğlu, A. S. (2025). Remembered Parental Rejection and Psychological Maladjustment in Turkish Adults: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Rejection Sensitivity. The Journal of Genetic Psychology , 186 (1), 22-38. Doi:10.1080/00221325.2024.2386011
Liu, Z., Li, M., Jia, Y., Zheng, L., & Chen, L. (2025). Effect of perceived stress on psychological distress in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing TACE: the mediating role of experiential avoidance and the moderating role of trait mindfulness. BMC Cancer , 25 (1), 254. Doi:10.1186/s12885-025-13679-y
Low, R. S., & Overall, N. C. (2025). Emotion regulation in couple relationships. In Research Handbook on Couple and Family Relationships (pp. 168-185). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Mishra, M., Reis, S., & Allen, M. S. (2024). Predicting relationship outcomes from rejection sensitivity in romantic couples: testing actor and partner effects. Current Psychology , 43 (36), 29095-29107. Doi:10.1007/s12144-024-06431-5
Moayed, P., Naghavi, A., & Fatehizade, M. (2023). Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy on Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Marital Adjustment in Couples with ADHD Children. Journal of Applied Psychological Research , 14 (2), 1-18. Doi:10.22059/japr.2023.333969.644086
Moeeni, F., Hosseini Arian, N., Karbasi, T., Toozandehjani, H., Rahnejat, A., & Donyavi, V. (2022). Effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on feelings of rejection, marital adjustment and emotional regulation in women affected by domestic violence [Research]. Nurse and Physician within War , 10 (36), 6-15 . Doi:10.29252/npwjm.10.36.6
Monemi, A., & Zeinali, A. (2022). The Role of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation and Impulsivity (Five Factor Model) in Predicting Problematic Mobile Use in Adolescents. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal (RRJ) , 11 (1), 1-12. Dor:20.1001.1.2383353.1401.11.1.5.2
Noroozi Homayoon, M., Akhavi Samarein, Z., Sadeghi, M., Hatami Nejad, M., & Jafari Moradlo, m. (2025). Comparing the Efficacy of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Impulsivity, Emotion Regulation, And Suicidal Ideation In Young People With Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Research in Psychopathology , 6 (1), 33-42. Doi:10.22098/jrp.2024.14488.1221
Noroozi Homayoon, M., Hatami Nejad, M., & Sadri Damichi, E. (2024). The effectiveness of psychodrama group therapy and cognitive behavioral play therapy on executive functions (working memory, response inhibition, cognitive flexibility and emotional self regulation) in male students with social anxiety disorder. Neuropsychology , 9 (35), 1-17. Doi:10.30473/clpsy.2024.68482.1710
Nzewuji, A. U., B., U. I., & and Uche, O. A. (2024). Psychosocial Variables That Enhance Marital Stability Among Couples in Southeast Nigeria. Journal of Social Service Research , 50 (4), 594-608. Doi:10.1080/01488376.2024.2352155
Richter, M., Kouri, G., Meuwly, N., & Schoebi, D. (2024). Rejection in romantic relationships: Does rejection sensitivity modulate emotional responses to perceptions of negative interactions? BMC Psychology , 12 (1), 365. Doi:10.1186/s40359-024-01864-w
Sanaei, B., Hooman, A., & Alaghmand, S. (2008). Family and marriage measurement scales. Tehran: Besat Publications .
Sandberg, J. G., Calatrava, M., Andrade, D., Lybbert, R., Mazo, S., & Rodríguez-González, M. (2024). Toward a culturally sensitive application of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: A qualitative study of therapists' experience using EFT in Spanish-speaking countries/cultures. Family Process , 63 (2), 648-666. Doi:10.1111/famp.12982
Shulman, S., & Yonatan-Leus, R. (2024). The long arm of rejection sensitivity and young adults' romantic relationships: An extension and a replication. Journal of Adolescence , 96 (1), 167-176. Doi:10.1002/jad.12266
Wang, J., Ning, W., Yang, L., & and Zhou, Z. (2025). Experiential avoidance, depression, and difficulty identifying emotions in social network site addiction among Chinese university students: a moderated mediation model. Behaviour & Information Technology , 1-14. Doi:10.1080/0144929X.2025.2455406
Wang, Y., Tian, J., & Yang, Q. (2024). Experiential Avoidance Process Model: A Review of the Mechanism for the Generation and Maintenance of Avoidance Behavior. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol , 34 (2), 179-190. Doi:10.5152/pcp.2024.23777
Wittenborn, A. K., Mitchell, E. A., Edwards, C., & Blow, A. J. (2024). Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of emotionally focused couple therapy in a large mental health agency: A preimplementation study. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice , No Pagination Specified-No Pagination Specified. Doi:10.1037/cfp0000261
آمار
تعداد مشاهده مقاله: 483
تعداد دریافت فایل اصل مقاله: 419
