The Effectiveness of Cognitive Couple Therapy on Decreasing Depression Level, and Increasing Marital Satisfaction

Introduction: Cognitive Couple Therapy is a common treatment for decreasing the psychological problems, including depression and cognitive restructuring of couples, by therapists and family counselors. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive couple therapy on decreasing depression level, and increasing marital satisfaction in couples referring to family counseling and intervention center of Fayazbakhsh Well-being Complex in Ahvaz City.
Method: A sample of 20 couples was randomly selected among those referring to center of Fayazbakhsh Well-being Complex. Participants were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. Prior to experimental intervention (cognitive couple therapy), all couples' depression level and their marital satisfaction were assessed (pre-test). In the next step, the couples of experimental group were received 8 therapy sessions, while no intervention were made for control group. Finally, two weeks after the last therapeutic session all variables of depression level and marital satisfaction were reassessed (post-test).
Results: A T-Test for comparing pre-test and post-test mean scores were shown significantly differences between couples under cognitive couple therapy (experimental group) and no-treatment couples (control group), in depression level, and marital satisfaction (decreasing depression levels, and increasing marital satisfaction). The improvement rate was 59.30% and 67.92% for depression level and marital satisfaction respectively.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that, according to findings, psychologists and family counselors can utilize cognitive couple therapy to reduce depression level and increase marital satisfaction of couples.