Applied Family Therapy Journal (AFTJ)

Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBT) in Reducing Anxiety, Depression, and Improving Relationship Quality Among Couples with Childhood Trauma

Nastaran Shayganfar

; Sophia Khaneghahi *

; Gholamreza Sanagoy Moharer

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety, depression, and enhancing relationship quality in couples with a history of childhood trauma.

Methods and Materials: This randomized controlled trial included 45 couples (90 individuals) recruited from counseling centers in Tehran and Karaj, of whom 15 couples were assigned to EFT, 15 to CBT, and 15 to a no-treatment control group. Eligibility criteria required being married for at least two years and having at least one partner with documented childhood trauma. The interventions consisted of 8–12 weekly 60–90-minute sessions delivered by trained therapists. Standardized instruments—the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)—were administered at pretest, posttest, and a three-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27 to examine intervention effectiveness and between-group differences.

Findings: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant main effects of time, group, and time × group interactions for anxiety (F = 112.38, p < .001, η² = .79), depression (F = 118.57, p < .001, η² = .81), and relationship quality (F = 129.74, p < .001, η² = .82). Bonferroni post-hoc tests indicated that both EFT and CBT produced statistically significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from posttest to follow-up for all outcomes (all p < .05), whereas the control group showed no significant changes. Between-group comparisons revealed that EFT produced significantly greater improvements than CBT in anxiety (p = .031), depression (p = .028), and relationship quality (p = .017), and both interventions outperformed the control group across all variables (all p < .001).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that both Emotion-Focused Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy are effective in reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing relationship quality in couples with childhood trauma, with EFT showing consistently stronger and more sustained effects across emotional and relational dimensions.

Identification and Ranking of Factors Influencing Parental Role Conflict in One-Child Families

Seyedeh Zahra Abtahi *

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and rank the psychological, relational, and contextual factors contributing to parental role conflict in one-child families.

Methods and Materials: This research employed a sequential mixed-method design consisting of two complementary phases. In the qualitative phase, a systematic literature review was conducted, and the extracted data were analyzed using NVivo 14 through open, axial, and selective coding until theoretical saturation was achieved. Seven main thematic categories were identified: Parenting Expectations and Role Strain, Emotional Regulation and Stress Management, Marital Relationship Dynamics, Socioeconomic and Cultural Pressures, Child-Centered Dependency, Psychological Well-being of Parents, and Support Systems and Coping Resources. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire based on the qualitative results was administered to 230 parents of one-child families living in Tehran, selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the Friedman test to rank the importance of the identified factors.

Findings: The Friedman test revealed significant differences in the ranking of factors influencing parental role conflict (p < 0.05). Parenting Expectations and Role Strain received the highest mean rank (6.35), followed by Emotional Regulation and Stress Management (5.92) and Marital Relationship Dynamics (5.48). Support Systems and Coping Resources was ranked lowest (3.71). The results highlight that intrapersonal and relational dimensions have a stronger predictive influence on role conflict than external socioeconomic conditions.

Conclusion: Parental role conflict in one-child families is primarily driven by emotional and cognitive factors, particularly perfectionistic parenting expectations, emotional dysregulation, and marital tension. Addressing these determinants through psychological skills training, marital support, and social resource enhancement could significantly mitigate parental strain and improve family well-being.

Identifying Factors of Marital Commitment During Economic Stress: A Qualitative Study

Youssef Benali

; Bálint Tóth *

Objective: This study aimed to explore and identify the psychological, relational, and cultural factors that sustain marital commitment among Hungarian couples experiencing significant financial adversity.

Methods and Materials: A qualitative exploratory design was employed to capture the lived experiences of couples facing economic strain. Using purposive sampling, 21 married individuals from Hungary who had encountered major financial challenges in the past five years were recruited. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, lasting between 45 and 75 minutes, focusing on participants’ coping strategies, communication patterns, and sources of resilience. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All sessions were transcribed verbatim, translated from Hungarian into English when necessary, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo 14 software. Rigorous strategies, including independent coding and reflective memoing, enhanced credibility and trustworthiness.

Findings: Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis: emotional resilience, communication dynamics, adaptive coping strategies, and value and commitment anchors. Couples reported that trust, mutual reassurance, and emotional regulation were essential for enduring financial distress. Open financial dialogue and conflict de-escalation prevented misunderstandings and fostered teamwork. Adaptive coping included creative income generation, resourcefulness, and reliance on extended family and community networks. Cultural and moral anchors — such as shared belief systems, family responsibility, and a collective “us against the problem” mindset — provided a deeper sense of purpose and stability. These interconnected processes collectively explained how couples sustained long-term commitment despite economic challenges.

Conclusion: Marital commitment during economic stress arises from a dynamic interplay of emotional, relational, and cultural resources. Understanding these protective processes can guide counseling, community interventions, and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening families facing financial hardship.

Contexts of Power Asymmetry in Academic–Nonacademic Partner Dyads: A Qualitative Study

Yaliu Yang ; Intan Sari *

Objective: This study aimed to explore and interpret the relational contexts and mechanisms that create and sustain power asymmetry in romantic relationships where one partner is an academic professional and the other is nonacademic.

Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed using purposive sampling to recruit 20 Indonesian adults currently involved in academic–nonacademic romantic partnerships. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews that focused on relationship dynamics, perceptions of influence and authority, and coping strategies. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and all were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 software. Codes were iteratively developed and clustered into subthemes and overarching themes to capture the multifaceted nature of power relations within these dyads. Credibility was ensured through member checking and peer debriefing.

Findings: Analysis revealed three overarching themes: communication and intellectual exchange, social and cultural power dynamics, and emotional and relational balance. Participants reported that academic partners often held symbolic intellectual authority, creating conversational imbalance and feelings of exclusion. Social prestige linked to academic titles reinforced status differences, while financial contributions and career stability sometimes shifted power toward the nonacademic partner. Career mobility and relocation often disrupted the nonacademic partner’s professional development, fostering dependence and tension. Couples who actively validated each other’s contributions, translated disciplinary knowledge, and set explicit boundaries were better able to manage and renegotiate power imbalances.

Conclusion: Power asymmetry in academic–nonacademic romantic dyads is dynamic and context-dependent, shaped by intellectual capital, mobility demands, and social recognition. Relational resilience emerges when couples address asymmetry openly and create strategies to balance influence and support.

Causes of Escalation in High-Arousal Conflicts Among Newlyweds: A Qualitative Exploration

Juan Camilo Ríos

; Carlos Hernández *

; Bridget Abalorio

Objective: This study aimed to explore the underlying emotional, relational, and contextual causes of escalation in high-arousal conflicts among newly married couples to better understand early marital vulnerability and inform preventive interventions.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative research employed an exploratory–descriptive design using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 24 newlywed individuals (married one to three years) residing in Mexico. Participants were recruited purposively to include variation in gender, socioeconomic status, and educational background. Interviews lasting 60–90 minutes were conducted in Spanish, audio-recorded with consent, and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis followed an inductive thematic approach supported by NVivo 14 software. Coding progressed from open codes to axial categories through constant comparison until theoretical saturation was reached. Trustworthiness was ensured via peer debriefing, audit trails, and reflective journaling.

Findings: Four overarching themes explained conflict escalation: emotional triggers (e.g., jealousy, unresolved past hurts, insecurity, sudden mood shifts, financial anxiety), communication breakdowns (e.g., escalating criticism, defensiveness, stonewalling, misinterpretation of intent, digital miscommunication, failed repair), external stressors (e.g., family interference, work pressure, cultural perfectionism, major life transitions, socioeconomic strain), and individual coping patterns (e.g., avoidance of conflict, rumination, catastrophic thinking, power struggles, negative self-talk, inherited conflict scripts). Participants described how intense arousal impaired self-regulation and fueled reactive cycles, while contextual adversity drained emotional resources and exacerbated miscommunication.

Conclusion: High-arousal conflict escalation among newlyweds arises from the interplay of heightened emotional vulnerability, ineffective communication strategies, external pressures, and maladaptive coping. Findings highlight the importance of addressing physiological arousal and emotion regulation, integrating cultural and contextual realities, and equipping couples with early skills to interrupt destructive cycles before they consolidate.

Causes of Desire Suppression and Sexual Avoidance in Postpartum Couples: A Qualitative Exploration

Brian Matthews

; Mei-Ling Chen *

Objective: This study aimed to explore and explain the underlying physical, psychological, relational, and sociocultural factors contributing to sexual desire suppression and avoidance among postpartum couples.

Methods and Materials: A qualitative exploratory design was adopted to capture the lived experiences of postpartum couples. Using purposive sampling, 18 married individuals (nine couples) from Taiwan who were between 12 and 24 months postpartum were recruited. Data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews guided by open-ended questions about postpartum sexual changes, emotional experiences, and relational adjustments. Interviews were conducted face-to-face or via secure video conferencing, audio-recorded with consent, and transcribed verbatim. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. NVivo 14 software was used for systematic coding and thematic analysis, employing iterative open, axial, and selective coding to develop categories and themes. Credibility was enhanced through member checking and peer debriefing, while dependability and confirmability were supported by an audit trail and reflexive memoing.

Findings: Analysis revealed four overarching themes shaping sexual desire suppression and avoidance: (1) physical and hormonal changes after childbirth — including pain, fatigue, hormonal fluctuations, and body image dissatisfaction; (2) psychological and emotional adjustments — such as maternal identity shift, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and cognitive overload; (3) relational and communication challenges — including inequitable parenting roles, reduced intimacy, misaligned sexual expectations, and limited sexual communication; and (4) sociocultural and external pressures — notably cultural taboos, family interference, social comparison, insufficient sexual health education, and moral beliefs affecting sexual readiness. These themes interacted dynamically, reinforcing avoidance patterns and delaying sexual recovery.

Conclusion: Sexual desire suppression and avoidance in the postpartum period result from the interplay of biological, psychological, relational, and cultural factors. Integrating sexual health counseling, mental health support, and culturally sensitive couple-based interventions into postpartum care could facilitate healthier sexual adaptation.

Strategies for Scaling Micro-Affections to Sustain Long-Term Bonding: A Qualitative Study of Hungarian Couples

Marco Conti

; Eszter Kovács *

Objective: This study aimed to explore and conceptualize the everyday strategies couples use to scale micro-affections—small, intentional acts of love and care—in order to sustain emotional closeness and long-term relational stability.

Methods and Materials: A qualitative design with an exploratory, interpretive approach was employed. Twenty Hungarian participants (10 couples) in long-term romantic relationships, ranging from 5 to 22 years, were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. The interviews, lasting 60–90 minutes, explored couples’ practices for maintaining connection, emotional safety, and adapting to life transitions. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach supported by NVivo 14. Open, axial, and selective coding were applied to generate categories and subcategories, while constant comparison, memo writing, and member checking enhanced analytic rigor and trustworthiness.

Findings: Three overarching themes emerged: nurturing everyday connection, sustaining emotional safety, and adaptive relationship growth. Couples sustained closeness through daily affectionate rituals, creative micro-gestures, and symbolic tokens of care. Emotional security was reinforced by responsive support, mutual vulnerability, quick conflict repair, gratitude, and respectful autonomy. Adaptive growth was maintained by updating love languages, co-creating future visions, sustaining playfulness, and integrating cultural traditions into evolving relational narratives. These strategies functioned as protective mechanisms against emotional distance and relational stagnation, enabling couples to maintain satisfaction despite external pressures and life transitions.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that sustaining long-term romantic stability relies on the intentional, iterative use of small-scale affectionate behaviors embedded within a safe and adaptive relational climate. Understanding these lived strategies enriches theoretical models of marital maintenance and provides culturally informed, actionable insights for couple therapy, relationship education, and prevention of disaffection.

Dimensions of Communication Breakdown in Digitally Mediated Relationships

Mariam Grigoryan

; Bálint Tóth *

Objective: This study aimed to explore the underlying dimensions, triggers, and relational consequences of communication breakdown in digitally mediated romantic relationships.

Methods and Materials: The study employed a qualitative, descriptive–interpretive design based on semi-structured interviews with 25 participants (aged 22–43) residing in Hungary, who were currently or recently engaged in digitally mediated romantic relationships. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity in relationship status and digital communication usage. Data were collected through in-depth, open-ended interviews focusing on experiences of misunderstanding, conflict, and emotional distance in digital interactions. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Through an inductive coding process, emerging patterns were categorized into main themes and subthemes reflecting the nature and mechanisms of communication breakdown.

Findings: The thematic analysis yielded four core dimensions of communication breakdown: (1) message ambiguity and misinterpretation, characterized by unclear tone, emotional detachment, and misread digital cues; (2) conflict escalation and digital triggers, including public exposure, reactive messaging, and asynchronous argument cycles; (3) emotional disconnection and relationship drift, reflected in reduced intimacy, digital fatigue, and avoidance behaviors; and (4) technological mediation barriers, involving platform fragmentation, algorithmic interference, and privacy-related constraints. The results indicated that digital communication both enables and destabilizes intimacy by amplifying emotional uncertainty and reducing contextual understanding.

Conclusion: Findings highlight the paradoxical role of technology as both a facilitator and disruptor of intimacy in modern relationships. Effective digital communication requires emotional regulation, boundary awareness, and mindful technology use. Addressing the psychological and technical dimensions of digital interaction can enhance relational stability and prevent emotional estrangement among partners.

About the Journal

E-ISSN: 3041-8798
Director in Charge: Dr. Seyed Ali Darbani
Editor-in-chief: Dr. Shokoh Navabinejad
Associate editor: Dr. Seyed Ali Darbani
Owner: Iranian Association for Women's Studies
Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB)
Contact Email: aftjournal@gmail.com / aftjournal@kmanpub.com
Open Access: YES

Applied Family Therapy Journal is a scientific open access double-blind anonymous open (since 2024) peer-reviewed journal publishing original articles, reviews, short communications and scientific reports of a high scientific and ethical standard in psychology, counseling and related academic disciplines. This journal is published four times per year in English by Iranian Association for Women's Studies and KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB).

Since 2024, this journal only accepts and publishes articles in English and no longer publishes Persian articles.

The research fields and topics within the activity framework of AFTJ include: