The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy on Emotional Regulation, Trust in Marital Relationships, and Sexual Intimacy of Couples Attending Psychological Centers in Ahvaz

Khadijeh Setayeshkhah¹ Mehdi Hosseinzadeh²

1) M.A. Student in Family Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2) Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

IOI Code : AAHA-AAGKCK
Publication : 5th.International Congress on Management, Economy, Humanities, Education and Business Development(5icmba.ir)
Abstract :
    The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT) on emotion regulation, marital trust, and sexual intimacy among couples attending psychological centers in Ahvaz. The statistical population included all couples who referred to psychological centers in Ahvaz in 2025, from which a sample of 30 couples was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The research design was a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest with a control group. The instruments used in this study included the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski et al., 2002), the Interpersonal Trust Questionnaire (Rempel & Holmes, 1986), the Standard Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire (Batlani et al., 2013), and the Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy program (Epstein & Baucom, 2002). After the random assignment, both groups completed the pretest. Then, the experimental group received CBCT intervention for 10 sessions (each lasting 90 minutes, twice a week). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA with SPSS-27 software. According to the findings, the results were significant (F = 777.939, p < 0.001), indicating that CBCT had a significant positive effect on emotion regulation, marital trust, and sexual intimacy among couples attending psychological centers in Ahvaz

Keywords : cognitive behavioral couple therapy emotion regulation marital trust sexual intimacy