Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused and Cognitive–Behavioral Couple Therapies in Enhancing Emotional Expressiveness and Communication Skills among Distressed Couples
Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused and Cognitive–Behavioral Couple Therapies in Enhancing Emotional Expressiveness and Communication Skills among Distressed Couples
Design
Given that the present study compares the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy on improving emotional expressiveness and communication skills in distressed couples, it employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, follow-up, and a control group.
Settings and conduct
“The study was conducted after obtaining the necessary approvals from Sayyed Jamaleddin Asadabadi University and the university ethics committee followed by securing informed consent from the participants.”
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
The study population included all couples with marital conflict who visited counseling centers in Hamedan in 2025. A total of 66 couples meeting the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling from six centers. They were then randomly assigned to three groups: Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy, and a control group (22 couples in each).
Intervention groups
Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy
Control Group
Main outcome variables
Emotional Expressiveness and Communication Skills
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20180627040264N2
Registration date:2025-12-02, 1404/09/11
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2025-12-02, 1404/09/11
Update count:0
Registration date
2025-12-02, 1404/09/11
Registrant information
Name
Alireza Karimpour-Vazifehkhorani
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 41 5262 1249
Email address
a.karimpour92@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-12-20, 1404/09/29
Expected recruitment end date
2026-02-19, 1404/11/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused and Cognitive–Behavioral Couple Therapies in Enhancing Emotional Expressiveness and Communication Skills among Distressed Couples
Public title
Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused and Cognitive–Behavioral Couple Therapies in Enhancing Emotional Expressiveness and Communication Skills
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Having a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 15 years of marital life; signing a written informed consent form to participate in the study; not having received psychological treatments prior to entering the study; ability to maintain a stable type and dosage of any medications used during the study; having at least a high school diploma; and not having schizophrenia spectrum disorders or substance abuse.
Exclusion criteria:
Irregular attendance in intervention sessions and separation from one another during the intervention period.
Age
No age limit
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
66
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Participants were allocated to one of the two intervention groups at a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated random sequence with variable block sizes (4 and 6), stratified by the severity of marital discord and the duration of marital life. The allocation sequence was kept in sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, which were opened by an independent individual.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Other
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
The Ethics Committee of Sayyed Jamaleddin Asadabadi University
Emotional expressiveness refers to the outward display of emotion regardless of its valence (positive or negative) or modality (facial, verbal, or bodily expression). It is influenced by social interactions and interpersonal relationships with family members and others.
Timepoint
Pretest, post-test, follow-up
Method of measurement
Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire by King and Emmons
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
In this study, all participant information was collected and stored confidentially in full accordance with ethical research principles. Each participant was assigned an anonymous identification code, and no names or personal identifiers were recorded in the data files.
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Not applicable
Informed Consent Form
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available