Effectiveness of Integrated Gottman-Emotional Focused Approaches on

Decreasing the Desire for Divorce and Increasing Marital Adjustment

Mona Abedi Noghondar1 Masoumeh Bigonah
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Islamic PhD student in health psychology, Islamic Azad
Azad University, Torbat Jam branch, Razavi University, Torbat Jam branch, Razavi Khorasan,
Khorasan, Iran. Iran.
Monaabedi1995@gmail.com Masoomeb60@gmail.com
Safa Alizadeh
MA in TEFL, Imam Reza International University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Safaalizade9510@gmail.com

Abstract
Willingness to divorce is the desire of couples to separate and break up marital relations. In examining the cause of
divorce, paying attention to individual and psychological causes, such as the desire for divorce and the degree of
marital adjustment , is of particular importance. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of
the integrated approach of Hijan Madar-Gutman on increasing marital adjustment and reducing the desire for
divorce in conflicted couples. For this purpose, 30 maried person applying for divorce who visited Mehrpaya clinic
in Mashhad in 1402 were selected. In this research, a semi-experimental design was used. The therapeutic protocol
of the combined emotion-centered-Gutman approach was implemented for the experimental group and the couples
answered the questionnaire of desire to divorce and marital adjustment. The results showed that the rate of
improvement in the variable of desire to divorce and marital adjustment in the integrated emotional circuit-Gutman
approach group in the post-treatment phase was significantly better than the control group.Therefore, it is concluded
that in order to reduce the desire for divorce in couples applying for a consensual divorce, it is possible to use the
combined emotion-oriented-Gutman approach in therapy sessions and consultations.

Keywords: Guttman's emotion-focused approach, desire for divorce, marital

Adjustment.

1
1-Corresponding Author

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Introduction
Divorce is a multifactorial phenomenon that has destructive effects on the individual and the family and causes all
kinds of anomalies in social dimensions [1]. Divorce is one of the most important family injuries that leads to
individual, family and social collapse and is strongly related to the increase in psychological problems and the
decline in social and economic status for all involved people. In recent years, the topic of marital conflicts has
increasingly gained a special place among the published works in the field of marriage. Statistics show that divorce
is increasing in the last few years. In Iran, in 1395, the ratio of marriage to divorce was 3.9, and in 1396, this ratio
was 3.6. In examining the cause of divorce, paying attention to psychological causes such as the desire for divorce is
of particular importance [2]. The desire for divorce means the desire of couples to separate and break the marital
relationship through legal procedures.Couples who want to divorce use negative emotions more than positive
emotions in marital interactions. Willingness to divorce has three dimensions: cognitive, emotional and behavioral.
The cognitive dimension is the person's ideas about divorce, and the emotional dimension includes the positive and
negative feelings and emotions of the individual towards divorce, and the behavioral dimension is the level of
behavioral readiness of the individual for or against divorce [3]. It contains Studies have shown that if sincere
attitudes are low in the life of couples, it causes inappropriate interactions and happiness in their lives, and
satisfaction in relationships is disturbed, which can lead to the desire for divorce [4]. Today, therapists are faced
with various issues in family therapy, and single-dimensional therapies alone have not been successful. Recently,
efforts have been made to combine specific components of different approaches in a coherent and integrated
model.Integrated Gottman-Emotional Focused Approach has many applications in solving couples' problems.
Gutman's and Johnson's approaches overlap a lot and can be integrated into a more comprehensive couple therapy
model. These two approaches are based on the existential approach of humanism and focus on awareness and
attention to the here and now and access to emotions for couples. The quality of increasing intimacy is the key
element for the integration of these two approaches, the emphasis of both is on 91 the importance and important role
of negative emotion in relationship distress. Another common and common assumption of these two approaches
through patterns is that repeated marital problems occur in the relationship [5]. The main goal of the emotion-
oriented approach is to help one's spouse and change emotions to identify and express the needs of insecure
attachment and to focus on the dimension of secure emotional attachment. Research has shown that emotion-
oriented therapy is an effective treatment for solving the problems of conflicted couples.One of the variables that
describes the success of couple relationships is marital adjustment . Marital adjustment , which has long been the
focus of psychologists and sociologists, is one of the broadest concepts for determining the level of happiness and
stability of a relationship. Marital adjustment is a situation, and its wife and husband feel happy and satisfied most
of the time and enjoy being together [6]. This compatibility is created through mutual interest, care for each other,
acceptance, understanding and satisfaction of needs. The issue of marital adjustment was taken into consideration
after the conducted studies, and after that many researches were conducted in order to discover the effective factors
in marital adjustment . Until 1980, researchers focused on all the variables of angiology, sexual relations, financial
issues, number of children, religion and occupation of couples, and only in recent years have emphasized the
importance of personality factors and emotions in marital adjustment .For example, Golman (1998) found a strong
relationship between emotional intelligence and the ability to resolve conflict in couples' relationships and
emphasized the importance of the role of empathy in romantic relationships. Gutman et al. (1998) also found that
support and emotional involvement are the main components of marital relationship and these factors can predict the
future of the relationship more powerfully compared to behavioral conflicts [7]. They also pointed out that the tone
of emotional expression between Couples are much more important than the content of their conversations and their
ability to resolve conflicts. According to them, the main cause of marital incompatibility is not the amount of anger
expressed or the number of conflicts, but humiliation and defensive distance that causes marital disturbances [8] [3].
In another study.(2005) also showed that emotional communication ability is significantly related to marital
adjustment and safe intimacy, with this study the role of identifying and expressing emotions, understanding and
managing negative emotions in maintaining marital relationship was confirmed. This recent focus on your emotions
as the main cause of marital problems has created a revolution in couple therapy approaches and brought about the
emotional couple therapy approach [9]. Emotional couple therapy is an integral approach combining three

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systematic perspectives, empirical humanism and adult attachment theory, which was invented by Johnson and
Greenberg in the early 1980s. Considering the major role of emotions in attachment theory, this therapy emphasizes
the important role of emotions and emotional communication in organizing patterns. It has a connection and
considers emotions as a factor of change.The use of adult attachment theory in this approach provides a coherent
framework for understanding the nature of adult love. From the point of view of attachment, each couple enters the
current relationship with expectations and experiences from their past, which plays an important role in how they
respond to their spouse. Therefore, the problems of couples are not only caused by the lack of communication skills,
but also caused by the resolution of their initial attachment experiences. Therefore, the main goal of this approach is
to help couples identify and express each other's main needs and desires and attachment concerns. Therefore, the
couple's attachment insecurities are reduced and a safe attachment is cultivated between them. Focusing on
attachment issues enabled the emotion-oriented approach to achieve important positive results in couple therapy.As
a study showed, the results of the emotion-oriented approach are stable for 2 years after the treatment, and this
treatment has no worries about the recurrence of marital problems, and this is a problem that behavioral couple
therapy is facing. The experimental approach in the emotion-oriented approach emphasizes the role of the emotional
experiences of each couple and the ethical system approach emphasizes the role of interactive cycles in maintaining
the problem. Therefore, the emotion-oriented approach integrates the intrapersonal and interpersonal worlds [10].
The change in the emotion-oriented approach is that the emotional responses underlying the interaction, discovery
and experience are reprocessed and re-processed, as a result of which new interactions are formed. Reaching and
discovering this emotional experience is not for the purpose of emptying and insight, but because of experiencing
new aspects of oneself that provoke new responses from the partner [11].Therefore, revealing the emotions and
attachment needs as well as the intimate partner's response to these needs is necessary to create an emotional bond
and the basis of the change process is in the emotion-oriented approach. Process studies of the emotion-oriented
approach have shown well how change happens and what are the changing events. Johnson and colleagues
summarized the results of three studies and showed that the process of change in the emotion-oriented approach is
characterized by the expression of emotions and underlying needs. Such an expression leads to a cycle of positive
interaction, which is characterized by an increase in availability and emotional responsiveness.Johnson and
Greenberg (1988) also showed that deep levels of experience, receptive and communicative interactive responses
are effective factors in the process of change, such that successful couples in emotion-oriented approach therapy
compared to unsuccessful couples have a higher percentage of communicative responses [12]. And they showed
spontaneity. This finding indicates that the couples who were successful in the treatment showed less dominance
and more bonding and bonding and accepting behaviors replaced hostility and coercive behaviors. In addition, the
blaming partner in successful couples Impersonal speech and limited self-disclosure achieve higher levels of self-
disclosure, discovery, and integration. In another study, interviews with couples at the end of emotion-oriented
approach therapy showed that they used more primary emotions and attachment language in their conversation and
reported more empathy.This approach is one of the most reliable and experienced couples therapy approaches and
many studies have proven its effectiveness in improving marital turmoil. Many studies investigated the treatment of
emotion-oriented approach in incompatible couples with tools such as marital adjustment scale and intimacy scale.
In most of these studies, emotion-oriented approach was compared with drug treatment, other psychological
treatments and waiting list. All studies showed that emotion-oriented approach treatment was more effective in
improving marital adjustment compared to other treatments and waiting list. The meta-analysis conducted on four of
the above studies also reported a strong effect size [13]. As mentioned, there is extensive evidence on the
effectiveness of emotion-oriented couple therapy in other societies, while in our society, the lack of use of this
intervention in couple therapy research is noticeable.This is especially important when recent reports show that
marital discord is on the rise in our society. So, the problem of marital disorders is the reason why clients refer to
counseling centers more than any other psychiatric diagnostic category. The increase in marital incompatibility and
its dramatic effects on the physical and mental health of couples and the health of the next generation highlights the
necessity of using couples therapy as a way to ensure the mental health of society. On the other hand, studies show
that expressing emotion is a valid cross-cultural component and in our society, which is part of Asian societies with
a focus on collectivism, there is a different style of expressing emotion compared to individualistic societies.Many
studies have shown that collectivist Asians control and adjust their emotions to a greater degree, show less verbal
and non-verbal emotional reactions, and even show less emotional expression and self-disclosure with their family
members, compared to individualistic North American societies [14]. do This inaccessibility and limited emotional

3
expression is, in turn, an important factor in destroying marital relationships. Therefore, the need to use an emotion-
based approach in improving marital relations in our society becomes more necessary. Based on this, the present
study tried to answer the question that does emotional couple therapy decrease the desire for divorce increase the
marital adjustment of couples?

Method
The statistical population included all the couples who referred to the Mehre-Paya clinic in Mashhad in 1402. The
sample group consisted of 30 of these people, who were selected with the accessible method and randomly divided
into two groups of 15 people. The experimental group received the intervention and the control group did not
receive any intervention. Pre-test and post-test, including Divorce Desire Questionnaire (DDQ), were performed on
both groups and the data were analyzed by proportional statistical method. The findings are presented in the results
section.

Divorce Desire Questionnaire (DDQ):

Desire to Divorce Questionnaire 1 was designed by Roosevelt Johnson and Maurer (1986) and standardized by
Zarei Mahmoudabadi (2013) in Iran. This questionnaire is a 90-question tool and is used to evaluate the desire for
divorce in couples applying for divorce. This tool is scored based on a 7-point Likert scale. A high score indicates a
high desire for divorce and a low score indicates a low desire for divorce. This tool has 2 subscales of willingness to
leave and willingness to forgive, each of which is measured by 7 questions. The validity of this tool in the research
was checked and confirmed by five experts in psychology and counseling. Cronbach's alpha was reported as 0.89
[15]
Spanir Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (DAS):
This questionnaire was prepared by Olson et al. (1985) to assess marital adjustment. Conflict, financial
management, leisure activities, sexual relations, children and parenting, family and friends, egalitarian roles and
ideological orientation. This tool is considered as a five-point Likert scale (completely agree, agree, neither agree
nor disagree, disagree, completely disagree) which is given a score of 1 to 5, with 1 for completely agree and 5 for
completely disagree. is awarded A higher score indicates higher satisfaction. Cronbach's alpha coefficient in the
report of Olson, Foriner and Druckman (1985) for this questionnaire was 0.90 [16]
The MANCOVA statistical method was used to compared the within groups means of the control and experimental
data. The SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used in this study to analyze the collected data.

Result
The data from 30 person was analyzed. The mean of participants’ age in experimental and control group was
respectively 38.83±3.96 and 37.80±2.78. In addition, 16 subjects (42.7%) were female and 14 subjects (37.3%) were
male. The descriptive statistic of dependent variable, marital adjustment and desire to divorce in pre-test and post-
test is reported in table1. The MANOVA statistical test removes the unwanted effect of the pre-test and compares
the post-test mean of the experimental and control groups with each other. According to Kolmogorov–Smirnov test,
the distribution of research variable was normal (P>0.05). Therefore, there is no prohibition to use univariate
analysis of covariance test. The results of MANCOVA statistical test shows that there is a significant difference
between experimental and control group in terms of marital adjustment and desire to divorce (p<0.05). The effect
size of implementing of this method for marital adjustment and desire to divorce was 0.142 and 0.265. The results
are shown in table 2.

Table 1-Mean and St. D. of dependent variable in pre and post test

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 Table 2- Tests of Between-Subjects Effects

Discussion
The The present research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of the combined emotion-
oriented-Gutman and strategic-solution-oriented approaches on reducing the desire for divorce and increasing
marital compatibility. Examining the results showed that the average variable of the desire to divorce has improved
after completing the treatment stages compared to the baseline stage and all couples have significant changes in the
dependent variable. In other words, both treatment methods have been effective in reducing the desire for divorce.
These results are in line with the findings of Johnson (2021), Davodundi et al. (1401), who proved the effectiveness
of emotional and Gutman's approach in solving couples' problems.
In therapy sessions based on the emotion-oriented-Guttman integrated approach, the involvement of emotions in
healthy permanent patterns in disturbed couples was emphasized. In these meetings, vulnerable emotions were
revealed in each of the couples, and the ability of the couple to express these emotions in safe and loving ways
emerged. Processing these emotions in a safe environment created healthier and newer interaction patterns in
couples. Also, the couples were able to convey new emotional signs that allow interaction patterns to move towards
being more emotionally accessible and responsive, and as a result, a safer and more satisfying bond is created. An
emotion-oriented approach with an emphasis on mutual support for each other and the openness of emotion and its
manifestation in a positive way, discovering positive expectations from each other, expressing new experiences in
married life and their continuation and repetition, focusing on touching one's emotions and identifying them,
emphasizing on taking care of Spouse and attachment bond together, identifying negative interactive cycles and
eliminating them in married life and creating positive interactions and their repetition and continuation caused the
level of confusion and marital conflicts to calm down and at the end of a more satisfactory relationship and reduced
the desire for divorce in couples. In addition, by implementing Gutman's marital skills, such as using positive
interactions (love, humor, trust, acceptance, and openness), listening to each other's opinions with attention and
respect, and discussing in an appropriate manner, increases marital happiness and, as a result, reduces the desire for
divorce. It happened in couples. Couples learned to reduce the repetition of negative behavior and to repeat positive
behavior more. This action is especially important because negative behaviors affect the desire for divorce,
dissatisfaction and conflict more than positive behaviors. In a research that Based on Gutman's opinion on the
behavioral differences between troubled and normal couples, he showed that couples who focus more on the
positive aspects of their spouse and less on the negative aspects have a happier life, more satisfaction and more
stable relationships and less desire for divorce. It was done so that the couples could more easily reach a marital
agreement and this positive emotional atmosphere led to greater marital satisfaction and happiness and as a result
reduced the desire for separation. The intervention sessions based on the Gutman-emotional couple therapy

5
approach made the couples deepen their friendship, strengthen the management of arguments and Creating a
common meaning and setting goals in a couple's relationship

Conclusions
. In this intervention, by correcting and strengthening the road map, strengthening the sense of attachment and
praise, reducing conflicts and negative emotions, reducing the desire for divorce, providing specific and specific
steps to solve problems and conflicts, the appropriate emotional reactions to improve the marital relationship
increased. Positive aspects in life, couples learned to overcome life's problems by showing interest, kindness and
affection, appreciation, empathy, acceptance, joking and sharing in happiness, and as a result, their marital
satisfaction increased and their tendency to divorce decreased. In addition, therapy sessions helped couples in
resolving conflicts and solving marital problems, reducing frustration, anger, feelings of worthlessness, depression
and failure, and increasing the sense of empathy and better understanding of each other's needs and desires, and
increasing the desire to continue the marital relationship. It created and improved relationships with greater
satisfaction and reduced the desire for divorce. In explaining the effectiveness of the integrated strategy-solution-
oriented approach in reducing the desire for divorce, it can be said that the couples were helped to become aware of
the processes of formation that led to the formation of divorce attitudes in them, and found grounds for
strengthening or intensifying them. It can be said that the tendency to divorce is the result of this wrong attitude that
there is no more solution to overcome the current problems or that there is no more ability to solve the problems.
This research was faced with limitations such as the availability of subjects, the limited number of participants,
which are caused by the limitations of the single-case design methodology. Such limitations are considered an
obstacle to the generalizability of the findings. Another limitation of this plan was the repeated implementation of
the research tool, which can increase the possibility of learning error. Therefore, it is suggested that in future
researches, using real experimental designs, including a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and a larger
number of participants, to more accurately evaluate the validity and compare the effectiveness of these approaches
in the treatment and improvement of other psychological problems of couples among age, gender, Educational and
cultural diversity should be paid.

Acknowledgments
Finally, we would like to thank all the participants in this study for their time and willingness to share their
experiences.

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