Comparing the effectiveness of the emotionally-focused couple therapy and the problem-centered systems therapy of the family on marital burnout in spouses of recovering addicts

Introduction: Marital burnout can be considered both an underlying factor for serious martial problems and a consequence of these problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the emotionally-focused couple therapy (EFCT) and the problem-centered systems therapy of the family (PCSTF) on marital burnout in spouses of recovering addicts.

Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 27 eligible couples as volunteers. After conducting the pretest using the couple burnout measure, the participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 9, including a control group, an EFCT experimental group and a PCSTF experimental group. The study couples then individually attended 11 couple therapy sessions based on PCSTF and EFCT models. Posttests were ultimately conducted and the data collected were analyzed using ANCOVA.

Results: The results obtained indicated significant reductions in marital burnout in both the EFCT and the PCSTF models compared to in the control group, while the effects of the two models were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Although these two different therapeutic approaches address different dimensions of married life, both cause reductions in marital burnout. Integrating these treatment methods of marital burnout therefore seems to be effective.