A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy and Behavioral Couples Therapy in Reducing Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Married Couples
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 150
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study compares the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in married couples. A total of 150 married couples aged 18-65 will be screened, and 60 couples with high depression and anxiety levels will be selected. These couples will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: EFCT, BCT, or a control group. Therapy sessions will be conducted weekly for 12 weeks, with assessments before therapy, after the 6th and 12th sessions, and at a 3-month follow-up. The study aims to determine which therapy is more effective in improving mental health outcomes in couples.
Detailed Description
Detailed Description:
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) is designed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) and Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms among married couples. The study will involve 150 married couples aged between 18 and 65, who have been married for at least one year, have no current psychiatric diagnosis, and are not undergoing any form of psychological therapy at the time of recruitment. Recruitment will be conducted through advertisements, social media platforms, and referrals from community centers and family counseling services in Istanbul.
Study Design:
The study will follow a parallel-group design with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. After an initial screening process, participants will complete a sociodemographic form and two standardized psychological assessments: the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Based on the assessment results, 60 couples with high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms will be selected for the intervention phase. A computer-generated randomization process will assign 20 couples to the EFCT group, 20 couples to the BCT group, and 20 couples to a control group that will not receive therapy during the study period.
Intervention Protocol:
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Married couples aged between 18 and 65 years
- •Married for at least one year
- •No current psychiatric diagnosis or history of psychiatric treatment
- •Not receiving any form of psychological therapy at the time of recruitment
- •Ability to provide informed consent
- •Willingness to participate in all therapy sessions and assessments
Exclusion Criteria
- •Current or past psychiatric diagnosis (excluding mild transient conditions)
- •Ongoing psychological therapy or psychiatric treatment
- •Severe mental health disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), Substance abuse or dependency
- •Severe medical conditions that may interfere with participation
- •Refusal to participate in follow-up assessments
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
Time Frame: Baseline, after the 6th session (6 week), after the 12th session (12 week), and at 3-month follow-up (24 week)
The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) will be used to measure changes in depression symptoms over time. Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Time Frame: Baseline, after the 6th session (6 week), after the 12th session (12 week), and at 3-month follow-up (24 week)
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) will be used to measure changes in anxiety symptoms over time. Scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety symptoms.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Eda Yilmazer
Primary Investigator
Beykoz University