THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHEMA-BASED COUPLE THERAPY ON EARLY MALADAPTIVE SCHEMATA ADJUSTMENT AND THE INCREASE OF DIVORCE APPLICANTS ADAPTABILITY

Abstract

The present study is aimed to examine the effectiveness of schema-based couple therapy on adjusting early maladaptive schemata and increase if divorce applicants adaptability in Khoramabad Province in 2013. Research method was quasi-empirical with test and control groups. Sample of the study was randomly chosen among divorce applicants (20 couples or 40 people) and placed in two test and control groups. Then, schema therapy was administered for 20 sessions. Yang’s Early Maladaptive Schemata Scale (EMSS) and Basby et al’s Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) were applied. In the end, data analysis was carried out using covariance analysis. Results indicated the effectiveness of schema therapy on adjusting maladaptive schemata (F=80.256, P=0.001, Eta=0.709) and also the increase of adaptability (F=21.041, P=0.001, Eta=0.389) for divorce applicants. Schema-based couple therapy in the work environment with divorce applicants can be effective in increasing the adjustment of maladaptive schemata as well as increasing the awareness and mutual understanding and finally in increasing the adaptability.