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Nakhai A, Nouhi S, Aghaei H. Determining the Effectiveness of Relationship Improvement Training Based on Mindfulness on Cognitive Regulation of Emotion and Psychological Flexibility of Divorced Women Experienced Infidelity with Teenage Children. MEJDS 2024; 14 :125-125
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3238-en.html
Determining the Effectiveness of Relationship Improvement Training Based on Mindfulness on Cognitive Regulation of Emotion and Psychological Flexibility of Divorced Women Experienced Infidelity with Teenage Children
Akram Nakhai *1 , Shahnaz Nouhi2 , Hakimeh Aghaei2
1- MA in Psychology, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
2- Assistant Professor of Psychology Department, Shahrood Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
Abstract:   (600 Views)

Abstract
Background & Objectives: One of the problems that causes family breakdown is marital infidelity. Marital infidelity may have adverse effects on teenage children. This experience may increase stress, anxiety, and depression in children. Therefore, to prevent divorce due to marital infidelity and prevent its damage, attention should be paid to the factors affecting it. One of these factors is cognitive emotion regulation. Psychological flexibility may be a phenomenon related to marital infidelity. Marital infidelity is one of the issues that may cause distress and depression in individuals, and this can have adverse effects on mothers with teenage children. Mindfulness interventions are an effective method to help mothers deal with this issue. In this method, mothers facilitate the improvement of their mental state through mental exercises and move towards improving their relationships with themselves and others. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness–based relationship improvement training on cognitive regulation of emotion and psychological flexibility of divorced women who have experienced betrayal with teenage children.
Methods: The current quasi–experimental research employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this research comprised all the divorced women who experienced infidelity and their teenage children who were referred to Yara and Behnam counseling centers in the first and seventh districts of Tehran City, Iran. They also included the employees of Razi Hospital in Tehran in 2022—the number of samples equal to about 15 people for each group. Therefore, among the statistical population, 30 eligible volunteers were included in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (each group included 15 people). After selecting the people of the sample group and before starting the treatment program, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2002) and the Acceptance and Practice Questionnaire–II (Bond et al., 2011) were distributed in both groups. After that, the relationship improvement training program based on mindfulness was implemented in the experimental group (6 sessions of 90 minutes, once a week), and the control group was not subjected to any treatment program. In the end, the posttest was done again from both groups. Also, after the end of the research, the treatment programs implemented in this research were implemented in the control group to maintain ethical standards. The inclusion criteria included divorced women with a history of infidelity, having teenage children, at least a diploma level of education, and not participating in other therapeutic interventions at the same time. The exclusion criteria included the absence of more than three sessions and non–observance of group therapy rules. This research observed ethical standards including obtaining informed consent and ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Also, when participating in the research, the participants were free to withdraw from the research at any time and provide individual information. They were assured that the information would remain confidential, which was fully respected. Data analysis was carried out in two parts: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Univariate analysis of covariance was used at the descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics levels. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 24, and the significance level of the tests was considered to be 0.05.
Results: The findings of the research showed that relationship improvement training based on mindfulness on cognitive regulation of emotion and psychological flexibility of divorced women who experienced betrayal with teenage children was significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Mindfulness–based relationship improvement training can help divorced women who have experienced betrayal develop healthier coping mechanisms, strengthen their emotional intelligence, and improve their ability to communicate effectively in their relationships. To forgive by increasing self–awareness and promoting acceptance, they can also develop greater flexibility and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Keywords: Relationship improvement training based on mindfulness, Cognitive regulation of emotions, Psychological flexibility, Divorce, Betrayal
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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology
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