Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation and Logotherapy on Psychological Distress in Incompatible Couples

Abstract

Background: One reason for family breakups is failing to treat the problems of incompatible couples. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotion regulation (ER) and logotherapy (LT) on the psychological distress of incompatible couples.Methods: This study used an experimental design with pre- and post-tests and a control group. The statistical population comprised all incompatible couples who had sought counseling services at Avaye Kherad, Neday Baran, and the Life Counseling Center in Sari City, Iran, in 2021. The research sample comprised 69 couples who were selected using purposive sampling and divided into two experimental groups (18 people in each group) and a control group (18 people). To collect data, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) Questionnaire (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used. The collected data were analyzed using the ANCOVA test (with a significance level set at α=0.05) and SPSS version 25.Results: The results of the analysis showed that ER and LT were effective in reducing the psychological distress of incompatible couples. The mean depression score was significantly lower in the ER group (10.27±2.19) compared to the LT group (11.61±2.30) and the control group (15.05±2.38; P=0.001). The mean anxiety score was also significantly lower in the ER group (8.77±2.07) compared to the LT group (13.72±2.24) and the control group (13.94±2.18; P=0.004). The effectiveness of ER (10±1.87) in reducing stress was significantly higher than LT (13.38±2.59) and the control group (15.38±2.42; P=0.001).Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that emotion regulation and logotherapy can be effective therapies to reduce the problems of incompatible couples.

Keywords

• emotion regulation
• logotherapy
• psychological distress
• incompatible couples