Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2025)                   IEEPJ 2025, 7(2): 1-10 | Back to browse issues page


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Zafarghandi D, Shaltuki M, Armoon A, Bani Najjar M, Saadatkhah F, Mohebianfar M. (2025). Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy on Cognitive Fusion in Couples Seeking Divorce. IEEPJ. 7(2), 1-10. doi:10.22034/ieepj.2025.7.2.911
URL: http://ieepj.hormozgan.ac.ir/article-1-899-en.html
1- Master of General Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran , ta.zafar64@gmail.com
2- Master of Personality Psychology, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran
3- Master of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Andimeshk Branch, Iran
4- Master of Personality Psychology, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran
5- Master of General Psychology, Khazar Institute of Higher Education, Mahmoudabad, Iran
6- Master of Family Counseling, Ahvaz Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract:   (1985 Views)
Objective: This study examined the efficacy of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) in addressing cognitive fusion among couples seeking divorce.
Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments and a control group, the study recruited 30 couples from counseling centers in Tehran’s fifth district in 2023 through convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15 couples) receiving eight 90-minute EFT sessions twice weekly or a control group (n=15 couples) placed on a waitlist. Cognitive fusion was measured using the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-24.

Results: Post-test results indicated a statistically significant reduction in cognitive fusion in the experimental group compared to the control group after adjusting for pre-test scores.
Conclusions: Emotion-focused therapy effectively reduced cognitive fusion in divorce-seeking couples. Given its therapeutic benefits, EFT should be integrated into psychological and family therapy interventions to mitigate cognitive fusion in high-conflict couples.
Full-Text [PDF 346 kb]   (826 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original | Subject: Evolutionary Psychology
Received: 2024/04/21 | Accepted: 2024/06/6 | Published: 2025/06/1

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