Volume 32, Issue 1 (3-2025)
RJMS 2025, 32(1): 1-9 |
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Research code: 01
Ethics code: IR.IAU.TNB.REC.1404.393
Clinical trials code: 01
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Fekri H, Jafari A. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Reducing Marital Alienation among Divorce Applicants in Tehran. RJMS 2025; 32 (1) :1-9
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9000-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9000-en.html
1- Master of Clinical Psychology, Kish International Unit, Hormozgan Azad University, Hormozgan, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran
Abstract: (45 Views)
Background & Aims: One of the major challenges in marriage and intimate relationships is marital alienation, a distressing condition characterized by physical, emotional, and psychological fatigue. Individuals who expect their romantic relationships and marriage to provide meaning and fulfillment often experience severe dissatisfaction when their expectations are not met. Marital alienation does not occur suddenly; it typically develops gradually due to cumulative relational stressors, poor communication, and lack of empathy between spouses. Over time, this alienation can result in decreased intimacy, trust, and shared engagement, eventually leading to emotional detachment and, in some cases, divorce. Emotional divorce often precedes legal divorce, and couples who seek formal separation typically have already experienced significant relational disconnection. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in reducing marital alienation among divorce applicants in Tehran. ACT, as a third-wave cognitive-behavioral intervention, emphasizes psychological flexibility and acceptance rather than changing the content of thoughts. The approach focuses on modifying the individual’s relationship with thoughts and emotions, fostering mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive defusion to improve overall psychological well-being. By targeting relational and emotional processes, ACT has demonstrated efficacy in reducing psychological distress, improving emotional regulation, and enhancing relationship satisfaction in diverse populations. In the context of marital alienation, this therapy aims to help individuals engage meaningfully in their relationships, tolerate discomfort without avoidance, and respond adaptively to relational challenges. Through structured interventions such as mindfulness exercises, present-moment awareness, and deliberate attention to bodily sensations, ACT facilitates self-regulation and strengthens interpersonal skills. Considering the growing prevalence of marital dissatisfaction and divorce in contemporary societies, investigating evidence-based interventions that mitigate marital alienation is critical for maintaining family stability and promoting psychological health. Therefore, this study sought to assess the impact of ACT on reducing marital alienation among individuals seeking divorce, with the broader goal of informing clinical practices and preventive strategies within family counseling services. By evaluating the therapy’s effectiveness, the research aims to provide insights into how psychological interventions can address the relational and emotional dysfunctions underlying marital alienation and prevent escalation toward legal separation.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted among all couples applying for divorce during the first six months of 1403 (Persian calendar) at court counseling centers in Tehran. Thirty participants with the highest scores on the Pines Marital Alienation Questionnaire (1996) were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group participated in eight sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to examine the impact of the intervention on marital alienation.
Results: The findings indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced marital alienation among divorce applicants.
Conclusion: Given the sensitivity of divorce-related issues within families and the profound psychological, emotional, and social consequences that can arise from marital conflict, emotional detachment, and eventual separation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerges as a particularly valuable and evidence-based intervention. Marital alienation, often described as a gradual emotional distancing between spouses, can undermine the stability of the family unit, reduce emotional intimacy, and diminish the overall quality of life for both partners. When couples experience persistent dissatisfaction, poor communication, and unaddressed emotional conflicts, this alienation can escalate into severe relational dysfunction, ultimately leading to legal divorce. In this context, the application of ACT offers a targeted approach to address the underlying psychological and emotional processes contributing to marital alienation. ACT focuses on enhancing psychological flexibility, which allows individuals to remain present in their relationships, accept distressing emotions without avoidance, and engage in value-driven behaviors despite relational challenges. Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral interventions that primarily aim to change the content of thoughts, ACT emphasizes altering the individual’s relationship with their thoughts and emotions. By cultivating mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive defusion, individuals can observe their negative or unhelpful thoughts without becoming entangled in them. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of marital alienation, where cognitive distortions, misinterpretations of a partner’s behavior, and emotional reactivity often exacerbate conflict and emotional withdrawal. Through structured interventions such as guided mindfulness exercises, present-moment awareness, and body-focused attentional practices, ACT equips participants with practical skills to manage relational stress. For example, couples are encouraged to observe their emotions and bodily sensations without judgment, recognize the transient nature of negative thoughts, and engage in meaningful interactions aligned with their relational values. These strategies not only reduce emotional avoidance but also foster greater empathy, patience, and understanding between partners. As a result, couples can gradually rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen emotional bonds, thereby mitigating the progression of marital alienation. Moreover, ACT’s emphasis on values clarification enables individuals to reconnect with the foundational goals of their relationship, such as mutual respect, cooperation, and shared purpose. By identifying and committing to these values, couples are better equipped to navigate inevitable relational challenges, resolve conflicts constructively, and maintain emotional engagement. The process of accepting discomfort while pursuing meaningful relational actions fosters resilience and reduces the likelihood of escalating conflicts into chronic emotional detachment or legal separation. Given these mechanisms, ACT can be viewed as a preventive and therapeutic strategy that not only alleviates current emotional detachment but also supports long-term marital stability. By promoting psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and value-driven behavior, this therapy empowers couples to manage distress, enhance intimacy, and strengthen relational satisfaction. Consequently, the implementation of ACT in family counseling or therapeutic interventions for individuals at risk of divorce holds substantial promise in preserving marital relationships, reducing emotional alienation, and improving the overall mental health and well-being of both partners.
Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted among all couples applying for divorce during the first six months of 1403 (Persian calendar) at court counseling centers in Tehran. Thirty participants with the highest scores on the Pines Marital Alienation Questionnaire (1996) were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group participated in eight sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to examine the impact of the intervention on marital alienation.
Results: The findings indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy significantly reduced marital alienation among divorce applicants.
Conclusion: Given the sensitivity of divorce-related issues within families and the profound psychological, emotional, and social consequences that can arise from marital conflict, emotional detachment, and eventual separation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerges as a particularly valuable and evidence-based intervention. Marital alienation, often described as a gradual emotional distancing between spouses, can undermine the stability of the family unit, reduce emotional intimacy, and diminish the overall quality of life for both partners. When couples experience persistent dissatisfaction, poor communication, and unaddressed emotional conflicts, this alienation can escalate into severe relational dysfunction, ultimately leading to legal divorce. In this context, the application of ACT offers a targeted approach to address the underlying psychological and emotional processes contributing to marital alienation. ACT focuses on enhancing psychological flexibility, which allows individuals to remain present in their relationships, accept distressing emotions without avoidance, and engage in value-driven behaviors despite relational challenges. Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral interventions that primarily aim to change the content of thoughts, ACT emphasizes altering the individual’s relationship with their thoughts and emotions. By cultivating mindfulness, acceptance, and cognitive defusion, individuals can observe their negative or unhelpful thoughts without becoming entangled in them. This approach is particularly relevant in the context of marital alienation, where cognitive distortions, misinterpretations of a partner’s behavior, and emotional reactivity often exacerbate conflict and emotional withdrawal. Through structured interventions such as guided mindfulness exercises, present-moment awareness, and body-focused attentional practices, ACT equips participants with practical skills to manage relational stress. For example, couples are encouraged to observe their emotions and bodily sensations without judgment, recognize the transient nature of negative thoughts, and engage in meaningful interactions aligned with their relational values. These strategies not only reduce emotional avoidance but also foster greater empathy, patience, and understanding between partners. As a result, couples can gradually rebuild trust, improve communication, and strengthen emotional bonds, thereby mitigating the progression of marital alienation. Moreover, ACT’s emphasis on values clarification enables individuals to reconnect with the foundational goals of their relationship, such as mutual respect, cooperation, and shared purpose. By identifying and committing to these values, couples are better equipped to navigate inevitable relational challenges, resolve conflicts constructively, and maintain emotional engagement. The process of accepting discomfort while pursuing meaningful relational actions fosters resilience and reduces the likelihood of escalating conflicts into chronic emotional detachment or legal separation. Given these mechanisms, ACT can be viewed as a preventive and therapeutic strategy that not only alleviates current emotional detachment but also supports long-term marital stability. By promoting psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and value-driven behavior, this therapy empowers couples to manage distress, enhance intimacy, and strengthen relational satisfaction. Consequently, the implementation of ACT in family counseling or therapeutic interventions for individuals at risk of divorce holds substantial promise in preserving marital relationships, reducing emotional alienation, and improving the overall mental health and well-being of both partners.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
