Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Narrative Couple Therapy (NCT) on Marital Quality

Abstract

Background: Disturbance in human relationships has significant negative effects on the quality of life of couples and their children. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of narrative couple therapy (NCT) and emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples on quality of life of individuals. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest, and the statistical sample consisted of 45 insociable patients referred to Aftab Mehr and Rahe Eshgh counseling centers in Isfahan City, Iran. They were randomly divided to three equal groups, who received treatment in 5 sessions. Subjects were evaluated using Busby Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square, covariance analysis, Bonferroni post hoc, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests via SPSS software. Chi-square was used test to compare sex distribution and educational level among three groups, one-way ANOVA to compare the mean age of the three groups, and covariance analysis and Bonferroni post hoc test to assess the effect of therapeutic intervention on improving marital quality. Findings: The highest increase in marital quality of life was in the NCT group, and then in the EFT group. In control group, the decrease in the quality of life in the posttest was not significant compared to the pretest. Conclusion: NCT and EFT interventions has significant effect on marital quality of life compared to the control group.

Keywords

• narrative therapy
• emotion-focused therapy
• quality of life