The Effectiveness of Spirituality Therapy Training on Distress Tolerance, Cognitive Flexibility, and Marital Stress in Conflicted Couples

Determining the Effectiveness of Spirituality Therapy Training on Distress Tolerance, Cognitive Flexibility, and Marital Stress in Conflicted Couples

This study is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial conducted in phase II on 30 couples (15 couples in each group). Sample allocation is performed using simple randomization with the RAND function in Excel software; first, each couple receives an identification code and, based on the generated random numbers, is assigned to two groups of 15 couples.

This study will be conducted in counseling centers in Ahvaz on couples with marital conflicts. After obtaining informed consent, the couples will be randomly assigned by simple randomization into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive spirituality therapy, while the control group will receive routine services. Data will be collected at the pre-test and post-test stages. The study is double-blind, and the outcome assessors, clinical caregivers, and data analysts will not be aware of the group allocations.

Inclusion criteria: Age between 25 and 45 years old. Have at least 2 years of marital life. Have marital conflict. Have at least a high school diploma. Exclusion criteria: Having mental disorders and taking psychiatric medications. Having physical problems that interfere with the intervention process.

Intervention group: Spiritual therapy training is implemented in eight 90-minute sessions based on the model of Saalabifard et al. (1401) and focuses on self-awareness, spiritual growth, emotion regulation, acceptance, prayer, and forgiveness, promoting mental peace and improving interpersonal relationships. Control group: receive no intervention.

Distress tolerance; Functional flexibility; Marital stress

In this study, a simple randomization method was used to assign participants to the experimental and control groups. The unit of randomization in this study was the couples visiting the counseling center. First, a complete list of eligible couples based on the study entry criteria was prepared. Then, a unique numeric identification code was assigned to each couple. These codes were entered into the Random Number Generator software, which generated a random number for each couple. After these numbers were generated, the couples were sorted in ascending order according to their random numbers. Then, the participants were sequentially assigned to two groups; the first 15 couples on the list were assigned to the experimental group, and the next 15 couples to the control group. By this method, the order of entry into the study and the researcher’s knowledge of the participants had no role in group selection. For allocation concealment, the person responsible for entering data into the software was independent of the clinical operations team and could not be aware of or alter the allocation process. Additionally, the identification codes were kept confidential and separate from other participant information. Therefore, it was not possible to predict the group assignment for any couple before the completion of the randomization process.

In this study, to blind the outcome assessors who are responsible for collecting and scoring the questionnaires, they are unaware of the couples' allocation to the experimental or control group. The clinical caregiver and the person responsible for data analysis are also blinded to the group allocation. Data are recorded and analyzed using numerical identification codes, and information about the grouping of participants is not made available to the data analyst. In this way, an attempt has been made to minimize the possibility of bias in the outcome assessment process and statistical analysis.

Participant data is completely confidential and I do not intend to publish it.