New approaches in education and health sciences management

New approaches in education and health sciences management

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Existential Therapy and Couple Therapy on Forgiveness in Husbands and Wives Affected by Extramarital Relationships

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Alireza Mirsharafedin 1
Sophia Khaneghahi 1
Samaneh Salimi 2
1 Department of Psychology, Zah.C., Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
2 Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/edus.2026.578771.1085
Abstract
Background and Objective: The sinister phenomenon of extramarital relationships can have devastating consequences for the betrayed partner, marital relationship, and unfaithful spouse. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of existential therapy and couple therapy on forgiveness in couples harmed by extramarital relationships.
Methods: This semi-experimental study used a pre-test–post-test design with a control group and follow-up. The population comprised all women in Qarchak County, Tehran, involved in extramarital relationships and who had counseling records in referral centers in 2023, totaling 250 individuals. The sample consisted of 60 women who referred to the Shadmehr Counseling Clinic in Qarchak, selected through purposive and voluntary sampling. Participants were divided into three groups: existential therapy (20), cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (20), and control (20). Data were collected using the Marital Forgiveness Questionnaire by Pollard et al. (1998). Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis.
Results: The findings indicated that both therapeutic approaches significantly increased forgiveness scores at post-test and follow-up stages compared to pre-test. Additionally, these therapies had a significant effect on increasing forgiveness compared to the control group. When comparing the two methods, existential therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness in enhancing forgiveness.
Conclusion: Overall, both therapeutic approaches can be considered effective methods for improving forgiveness and marital relationships, with existential therapy being more effective in this regard.
Keywords
Extramarital Relationships
Forgiveness
Effectiveness Of Existential Therapy
Couple Therapy
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New approaches in education and health sciences management
Volume 3, Issue 1
April 2026
Spring 2026
Pages 110-122

  • Receive Date 22 January 2026
  • Revise Date 06 April 2026
  • Accept Date 03 May 2026