Developing a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy Package to Reduce Conflict, Enhance Empathy, and Improve Dyadic Problem-Solving
Keywords:
Cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, mindfulness, marital conflict, empathy, dyadic problem-solving, qualitative researchAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to develop a mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral couple therapy package designed to reduce marital conflict, enhance empathy, and improve dyadic problem-solving among couples in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. Participants consisted of 22 individuals from Tehran selected through purposive sampling, including 14 married individuals with experiences of marital conflict and 8 specialists in couple therapy, family psychology, and marital counseling. Data were collected exclusively through semi-structured interviews. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached; core saturation occurred after the nineteenth interview, and three additional interviews were conducted to confirm data sufficiency. Interview duration ranged from 45 to 75 minutes. After verbatim transcription, the data were analyzed using NVivo software through initial coding, code categorization, extraction of subthemes, and organization of main themes. Credibility and trustworthiness were enhanced through member checking, peer review, audit trail documentation, and constant comparison of codes and themes.
Findings: The analysis yielded five main categories: “cognitive-emotional cycles of marital conflict,” “automatic reactivity and the need for mindful pausing,” “cognitive restructuring and empathic dialogue,” “collaborative dyadic problem-solving and negotiation,” and “structural requirements of the therapeutic package.” Findings indicated that couple conflict is not merely a behavioral disagreement but is shaped by threat-based interpretations, negative attributions, emotional dysregulation, defensive listening, reduced empathy, and insufficient shared problem-solving skills. Based on these themes, a ten-session intervention package was developed, integrating mindfulness practices, identification of automatic thoughts, cognitive restructuring, emotion regulation, empathic listening, non-blaming communication, stepwise problem-solving, and dyadic home assignments.
Conclusion: The developed package may serve as a structured intervention model for couples experiencing recurrent conflict. Integrating cognitive-behavioral components with mindfulness appears to help couples move beyond automatic reactivity toward mutual understanding, empathy, and constructive problem-solving.
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References
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