Conflict Resolution Styles

Objective: This paper expounds the role of family relationships and conflict resolution styles in marital burnout of couples seeking a divorce in Minab city. Methods: This is descriptive and correlational research. The study’s statistical population consists of the total number of married couples in Minab city in 2022 who were applieded for divorce. Using random sampling, 162 people were selected. The participants were asked to fill out the following questionnaires: the Couple Burnout Measure (CBM); The Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II (ROCI II), and The Brief Family Relationship Scale (BFRS. Results: Pearson's correlation coefficient and simultaneous multiple regression were used to analyze the study findings and examine the relationships between research variables. The study results indicated that family relationships and conflict resolution styles are significantly correlated with marital burnout (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Results analysis indicated that there was a significant relationship between family relationships, conflict resolution styles, and marital burnout highlighting divorce as one of the primary family trauma which brings about disintegration on a personal, familial, and social level. Therefore, the identification of the factors contributing to couples’ dissatisfaction and burnout have high significance since it affords us to take effective measures to prevent divorce and improve couples’ marital life.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of integrated behavioral couple therapy and schema-focused couple therapy on conflict resolution styles among conflicting couples in Shiraz. Methods: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up. The statistical population included all conflicting couples who visited the Fajr Counseling Center in Shiraz in 2022, from whom 45 couples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: integrated behavioral couple therapy, schema-focused couple therapy, and a control group. The Rahim Conflict Resolution Styles Questionnaire was used as the measurement tool. Experimental group one underwent a 16-session program of integrated behavioral couple therapy, and experimental group two a 13-session program of schema-focused couple therapy, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings: Results indicated that both interventions, integrated behavioral couple therapy and schema-focused couple therapy, were effective in addressing conflict resolution styles. There was a difference in the effectiveness of integrated behavioral couple therapy and schema-focused couple therapy on conflict resolution styles. Conclusion: Based on the findings, both treatments are effective for couples' conflict resolution styles, but the effectiveness of integrated behavioral couple therapy is reported to be more effective.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy (EST) in improving relationship quality and conflict resolution styles among betrayed spouses. Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 30 participants from Tehran, Iran, who were recruited through counseling centers and online advertisements. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 participants), which received eight weekly 90-minute EST sessions, or the control group (15 participants), which did not receive any therapeutic intervention during the study period. Data were collected at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up, using standardized measures of relationship quality and conflict resolution styles. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 27. Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in both relationship quality and conflict resolution styles in the experimental group compared to the control group. For relationship quality, repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between time and group (F(2, 54) = 82.46, p < .001). Similarly, for conflict resolution styles, a significant interaction effect was observed (F(2, 54) = 76.92, p < .001). Bonferroni post-hoc tests showed that these improvements were sustained at the five-month follow-up. Conclusion: Emotional Schema Therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing relationship quality and conflict resolution styles in betrayed spouses. By targeting maladaptive schemas and promoting emotional regulation, EST provides a comprehensive framework for addressing relational challenges following infidelity. These findings support the integration of EST into marital therapy practices.