Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment–Based Couple Therapy and Integrative Couple Therapy on Dysfunctional Beliefs in Infertile Couples
Keywords:
Acceptance and Commitment Couple Therapy, Integrative Approach, Dysfunctional Beliefs, Infertile CouplesAbstract
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment–based Couple Therapy (ACT-CT) and Integrative Couple Therapy (IBCT) in reducing dysfunctional beliefs among infertile couples. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included infertile couples who were referred to the infertility center of Karaj University of Medical Sciences in 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for infertility. Using purposive sampling, 45 couples were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned into three groups: ACT-CT (n = 15), IBCT (n = 15), and control (n = 15). The Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (Eidelson & Epstein, 1981) was administered at pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The ACT-CT and IBCT groups received twelve 90-minute sessions over three months, while the control group received no intervention. Due to attrition, the final sample consisted of 14 ACT-CT couples, 13 IBCT couples, and 15 control couples. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and multivariate tests. Results showed significant time, group, and group × time interaction effects for all components of dysfunctional beliefs (p < .05). Comparative analyses indicated that ACT-CT produced significantly greater reductions than IBCT in beliefs about the destructiveness of conflict (p = .030), partner unchangeability (p = .019), and total dysfunctional belief scores (p = .001). Bonferroni post-hoc tests confirmed significant improvements from pretest to posttest and follow-up in both intervention groups, with no meaningful changes in the control group. Both ACT-CT and IBCT effectively reduced dysfunctional beliefs in infertile couples; however, ACT-CT demonstrated superior effectiveness in modifying key maladaptive cognitive components.
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