Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy on Marital Adjustment and Marital Intimacy in Couples Seeking Divorce

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) in improving marital adjustment and marital intimacy among couples seeking divorce. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of couples seeking divorce who attended family counseling and divorce-intervention centers in Tehran in 2026. Thirty eligible couples were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 couples) or a control group (15 couples). Data were collected using Spanier’s Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Thompson and Walker’s Marital Intimacy Scale (MIS). The experimental group received 12 sessions of 90-minute cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 26 using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), with pretest scores entered as covariates. MANCOVA results indicated a significant overall group effect on the combined dependent variables after controlling for pretest scores (Wilks’ Lambda=0.421, F(2,25)=18.64, p=0.001, η²=0.579). Subsequent univariate analyses demonstrated a significant effect of CBCT on marital adjustment (F(1,26)=26.38, p=0.001, η²=0.504) and marital intimacy (F(1,26)=22.17, p=0.001, η²=0.460). Accordingly, group membership accounted for approximately 50% of the variance in posttest marital adjustment and 46% of the variance in posttest marital intimacy. Importantly, the manuscript explicitly states that the reported dataset was hypothetical and simulated for demonstration purposes. Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy may improve marital adjustment and intimacy by modifying dysfunctional cognitions, enhancing communication and problem-solving skills, strengthening constructive interactions, and facilitating more adaptive conflict management. Accordingly, CBCT may constitute a useful intervention for couples experiencing severe marital distress and considering divorce. However, because the reported findings are based on simulated data, definitive empirical conclusions require implementation of the proposed intervention with actual participants and analysis of observed data.