The Effectiveness of Integraged Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness on Marital Conflict and Anxiety in Women with Pathological Spousal Jealousy

Abstract

Aim: Pathological jealousy toward spouse is one of the most common complaints of couples referring for couple therapy. The research aimed to study the effectiveness of integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulnes on decreasing of marital conflict and anxiety in women withpathological jealousy toward spouse. Methods: For this purpose, a quasi-experimental pretest, posttest and follow up design with control group was used. The study sample included 34 women with Pathological jealousy who were selected through purposive sampling among women referredto counseling centers in Isfahan. The intervention method included10integrated sessions of cognitive-behaviorla therapy and mindfulness that was implemented for experimental group. In order to assess variables Marital Conflict Questionnaire (Barati & Sanayi, 2000) and State Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, et al., 1983) were used. The data analysis conducted by multivariate analysis of variance with pretest and control. Findings: The findings showed a significant decline in the mean scores of experimental group, both in anxiety and in marital conflict, in pretest and follow-up stages, but no tangible changes were observed in the control group scores. (p<0.0005). Conclusion: Thus, integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness has been effective in reducing marital conflict and anxiety in women with pathological jealousy toward spouse, and could be used by couple therapists and other psychotherapists.