Family Psychology Association of Iran

Authors

Abstract

Abstract: Divorce is an undoubtly damage to the family. Yet, official statistics show that  Emotional divorce  is now considered a more serious problem. Emotional divorce is a kind of abnormality in the family system through which the relationships does not end  in divorce but couples continue their common life for some reason while their marital life may lack love, companionship, and friendship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of counseling with an emphasis on Choice Theory in reducing emotional divorce among couples. The statistical population included couples referring to counseling centers in Ahvaz from which three couples were selected. Multiple baseline experimental single case was used as the method of the study .A counseling program based on Choice Theory was conducted for eight 90-minutes weekly sessions in the form of the couple therapy treatment. After the intervention, a follow-up was performed with a monthly interval. The participants at baseline, treatment and follow-up responded to Emotional Divorce Scale (EDS). Results showed that the counseling program could reduce the couples' scores on the scale which may, in turn, imply a reduction in their emotional divorce. Couples therapists are recommended use this model to improve the couples' emotional intimacy .

Keywords

Akbari, M Dinarvand, F. (2014). Effectiveness of therapy based on teaching Choice Theory on reduction of negative emotional reactions between couples with marital conflicts. International Journal of Basic Sciences & Applied Research., 3, 38-41. Glasser, W. (2000). Counseling with choice theory: The new reality therapy. New York: HarperCollins. Khodayarifard,M., Shahabi,R., & Akbari zardkhaneh,S. (2006). The relationship between religious attitude sand marital satisfaction on married students. Journal of Family Research, 6, 611-620. Morgan, D., & Morgan, R., (2009). Single-case research methods for the behavioral and health sciences. Los Angles: Sage Publications Inc. Robey, P. A., Wubbolding, R. E., & Carlson, J. (2012). Contemporary issues in couples counseling: A choice theory and reality therapy approach. New York: Routledge. Yahyaee GA, Nooranipoor R, Shafiabadi A, Farzad V. (2015). The effectiveness of Reality Therapy on the improvement of couples’ family functioning. Arch Hyg Sci, 4, 120-127.