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IRCT20260511069361N1 IRCT 2026-06-11 Islamic Azad University The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy on Marital Communication Quality and Trust in Couples The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy in Improving Marital Communication Quality and Trust among Couples Experiencing Emotional Divorce. 2026-06-10 anticipated 60 Complete https://irct.ir/trial/90111 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Double blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Education/Guidance, Randomization description: In this study, a simple randomization method was used to assign participants to the experimental and control groups. The unit of randomization in this study was the couples visiting the counseling center. First, a complete list of eligible couples based on the study entry criteria was prepared. Then, a unique numeric identification code was assigned to each couple. These codes were entered into the Random Number Generator software, which generated a random number for each couple. After these numbers were generated, the couples were sorted in ascending order according to their random numbers. Then, the participants were sequentially assigned to two groups; the first 15 couples on the list were assigned to the experimental group, and the next 15 couples to the control group. By this method, the order of entry into the study and the researcher’s knowledge of the participants had no role in group selection. For allocation concealment, the person responsible for entering data into the software was independent of the clinical operations team and could not be aware of or alter the allocation process. Additionally, the identification codes were kept confidential and separate from other participant information. Therefore, it was not possible to predict the group assignment for any couple before the completion of the randomization process, Blinding description: To ensure blinding, the group allocation process will be performed randomly by an individual outside the research team, who will have no involvement in the treatment process or outcome assessment. Outcome assessors and the data analyst will be faced with anonymous numerical codes for the groups and will have no information regarding the nature of the intervention (experimental or control group). Furthermore, all therapy sessions will be designed and conducted in a manner that ensures the therapist remains unaware of the participants’ pre-test and post-test assessment results, in order to prevent bias during the implementation of the protocol. To maintain blinding, all assessment reports will be coded, recorded, and provided for final analysis by an independent research assistant. N/A Emotional Divorce in Couples. Intervention 1: The Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT) intervention consists of 10 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, conducted twice a week, designed with the aim of improving marital interactions, increasing intimacy, and correcting dysfunctional cognitive and behavioral patterns in the relationship. This program is implemented based on the CBCT model by Epstein and Baucom (2002; cited in Salehi et al., 2021). In the first session, introductions, familiarization of the couple with the therapist, establishment of a therapeutic alliance, introduction of the treatment framework, and setting common goals are performed. In the second session, acceptance of individual errors and forgiveness of the spouse’s mistakes are taught with the goal of reducing blaming and increasing responsibility in the relationship. The third session is dedicated to teaching behavioral techniques, including the five love languages and the concept of the emotional bank account, to enhance the couples’ affectionate behaviors and intimacy. In the fourth session, gender differences between men and women in emotional and communication domains are examined to foster mutual understanding and more effective interaction between the couples. In the fifth session, behavioral and cognitive techniques for improving sexual relationships and increasing physical and emotional intimacy are taught. In the sixth session, effective and healthy conversation skills are taught with the aim of improving the expression of feelings and reducing misunderstandings. The seventh session is dedicated to teaching active listening and anger management to prevent the escalation of conflicts. In the eighth session, cognitive interventions, including the identification and correction of dysfunctional beliefs and negative thoughts about the spouse, are presented. In the ninth session, three personality levels (Parent, Adult, and Child) and the thought-feeling-action triangle model are examined to increase the couples’ self-awareness regarding behavioral patterns. In the tenth session, unrealistic expectations from the spouse are corrected, and by summarizing the topics, a plan for the continued application of skills after the end of treatment is provided. This program is implemented in the form of 10 sessions of 90 minutes, twice a week, for the experimental group. The duration of the intervention will be 5 weeks. Intervention 2: Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment. No - There is not a plan to make this available Justification or reason for not sharing IPD is Participant data is completely confidential and I do not intend to publish it.
public Shekoufeh Khosravan
No. 16, Sobhan 2 St., Bahonar
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6178643998 +98 916 740 5836 Shekoofeh4@gmail.com Islamic Azad University scientific Shekoufeh Khosravan
No. 16, Sobhan 2 St., Bahonar
Ahvaz Iran (Islamic Republic of) 6178643998 +98 916 740 5836 Shekoofeh4@gmail.com Islamic Azad University Iran (Islamic Republic of) Being between 20 and 50 years old Having at least 5 years of marital life Having at least a high school diploma Willingness to cooperate and participate in couple therapy sessions Couples experiencing emotional divorce 20 years 50 years Both Having psychological disorders and using psychiatric medications Having physical problems that interfere with the intervention process Z63.0 Problems in relationship with spouse or partner Behavior N/A The Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT) intervention consists of 10 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, conducted twice a week, designed with the aim of improving marital interactions, increasing intimacy, and correcting dysfunctional cognitive and behavioral patterns in the relationship. This program is implemented based on the CBCT model by Epstein and Baucom (2002; cited in Salehi et al., 2021). In the first session, introductions, familiarization of the couple with the therapist, establishment of a therapeutic alliance, introduction of the treatment framework, and setting common goals are performed. In the second session, acceptance of individual errors and forgiveness of the spouse’s mistakes are taught with the goal of reducing blaming and increasing responsibility in the relationship. The third session is dedicated to teaching behavioral techniques, including the five love languages and the concept of the emotional bank account, to enhance the couples’ affectionate behaviors and intimacy. In the fourth session, gender differences between men and women in emotional and communication domains are examined to foster mutual understanding and more effective interaction between the couples. In the fifth session, behavioral and cognitive techniques for improving sexual relationships and increasing physical and emotional intimacy are taught. In the sixth session, effective and healthy conversation skills are taught with the aim of improving the expression of feelings and reducing misunderstandings. The seventh session is dedicated to teaching active listening and anger management to prevent the escalation of conflicts. In the eighth session, cognitive interventions, including the identification and correction of dysfunctional beliefs and negative thoughts about the spouse, are presented. In the ninth session, three personality levels (Parent, Adult, and Child) and the thought-feeling-action triangle model are examined to increase the couples’ self-awareness regarding behavioral patterns. In the tenth session, unrealistic expectations from the spouse are corrected, and by summarizing the topics, a plan for the continued application of skills after the end of treatment is provided. This program is implemented in the form of 10 sessions of 90 minutes, twice a week, for the experimental group. The duration of the intervention will be 5 weeks Control group: They do not receive any intervention or treatment. Marital Communication Quality. Timepoint: before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Busby et al.’s Marital Quality Scale (1995). Trust in Couples’ Relationships. Timepoint: before performing the intervention and two weeks after completion of the intervention. Method of measurement: Rempel and Holmes Interpersonal Trust Questionnaire (1985). Islamic Azad University Approved 2026-04-15 Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz, Farhang Shahr Ahvaz Khouzestan Iran (Islamic Republic of)