A Comparative Study of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couple Therapy and Integrative Couple Therapy on Demoralization and Frustration Tolerance in Couples with a Disabled Child
Keywords:
couple therapy, acceptance, and commitment, integrative, low morale, tolerance of failure and disabilityAbstract
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) on demoralization and frustration tolerance in couples with a disabled child.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 45 couples with a disabled child were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: ACT, IBCT, and control. The interventions consisted of five sessions for the ACT group and twelve sessions for the IBCT group. The data were collected using the Demoralization Syndrome Scale and Harrington Frustration Tolerance Questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test were used for data analysis.
Findings: The univariate ANCOVA results showed significant differences among the three groups in both demoralization (F(2,42)=14.58, p=.0001, η²=.41) and frustration tolerance (F(2,42)=12.34, p=.0001, η²=.37). Bonferroni post hoc tests revealed that both treatment groups significantly outperformed the control group on both dependent variables, though no significant difference was observed between ACT and IBCT (p > .05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that both therapeutic approaches are effective in improving the psychological functioning of couples with a disabled child. While ACT showed slightly better outcomes in frustration tolerance and IBCT in demoralization reduction, the differences between the two were not statistically significant. These findings support the inclusion of both interventions in family counseling programs for vulnerable populations.
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