Maryam Pouyeh *1 
, Farshid Bandoo2 , Zahra Seyfi Kordlar3 , Mehran Mohebianfar4 , Zahra Lahoot5 , Sevil Dolatzadeh6
, Farshid Bandoo2 , Zahra Seyfi Kordlar3 , Mehran Mohebianfar4 , Zahra Lahoot5 , Sevil Dolatzadeh6
1- M.A. in Family Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. , pouyehmaryam@gmail.com
2- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
3- Ph.D. in Psychology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
4- M.A. in Family Counseling, Science and Research Branch (Ahvaz), Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
5- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
6- M.A. in General Psychology, Bileh Savar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bileh Savar, Iran
2- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
3- Ph.D. in Psychology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
4- M.A. in Family Counseling, Science and Research Branch (Ahvaz), Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
5- M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
6- M.A. in General Psychology, Bileh Savar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bileh Savar, Iran
Abstract: (17 Views)
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) on communication skills and family functioning in women affected by marital infidelity.
Methods: This study was applied in nature and utilized a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included all women affected by marital infidelity who referred to counseling centers and psychological clinics in Tehran in 2025. From this population, 60 individuals were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received eight sessions of SFBT. Data were collected using the Gottman Emotional Divorce Scale (Gottman, 1994), the Queendom Communication Skills Questionnaire (2004), and the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) (1983). Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The results indicated that SFBT significantly improved communication skills and family functioning among women affected by marital infidelity. Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in both variables after controlling for pre-test effects, and the intervention effect size was high for both variables.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an effective intervention for improving communication skills and family functioning in women affected by marital infidelity. The approach's brief, strength-based format may make it a practical option for counseling centers and psychological clinics working with this population. Further research with longer follow-up periods and diverse samples is recommended to confirm the durability and generalizability of these effects.
Methods: This study was applied in nature and utilized a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included all women affected by marital infidelity who referred to counseling centers and psychological clinics in Tehran in 2025. From this population, 60 individuals were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received eight sessions of SFBT. Data were collected using the Gottman Emotional Divorce Scale (Gottman, 1994), the Queendom Communication Skills Questionnaire (2004), and the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) (1983). Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The results indicated that SFBT significantly improved communication skills and family functioning among women affected by marital infidelity. Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in both variables after controlling for pre-test effects, and the intervention effect size was high for both variables.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an effective intervention for improving communication skills and family functioning in women affected by marital infidelity. The approach's brief, strength-based format may make it a practical option for counseling centers and psychological clinics working with this population. Further research with longer follow-up periods and diverse samples is recommended to confirm the durability and generalizability of these effects.
Keywords: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Communication Skills, Family Functioning, Marital Infidelity, Emotional Divorce
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Evolutionary Psychology
Received: 2026/03/29 | Accepted: 2026/09/14
Received: 2026/03/29 | Accepted: 2026/09/14
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