Journal of Saveh University of Medical Sciences

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy on Marital Burnout among Couples

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fateme Taghilou
Mehrdad Sabet
Ashrafalsadat Giti Ghoreishi
Behzad Aligohari

Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/sumsj.2026.584896.1119
Abstract
Introduction: Marital burnout is a common challenge in couple relationships that can negatively affect the continuity and quality of marital life. Identifying effective interventions to reduce marital burnout may help improve couples’ functioning. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) in reducing marital burnout.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of couples who referred to family counseling centers in Tehran in the spring of 2026. A total of 24 couples were selected through convenience sampling and equally assigned to three groups of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy, Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy, and a control group. Following attrition, data from 21 couples were analyzed, with the couple serving as the unit of analysis. The research instrument was the Marital Burnout Measure (MBM). The therapeutic interventions were delivered in eight 90-minute sessions based on the protocols developed by Johnson and Davanloo. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS version 25.
Results: The results of the multivariate analysis of covariance showed a statistically significant difference between the two therapeutic groups in the set of marital burnout variables after controlling for the pretest scores (P < 0.001). Univariate analyses further indicated that Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy was more effective than Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy in reducing the total marital burnout score (P < 0.002). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two therapeutic groups in the physical, emotional, and psychological subscales of marital burnout.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, both interventions can be effective in reducing marital burnout. Nevertheless, Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy, owing to its deeper focus on emotions and couple interactional patterns, may have greater potential to improve relationship quality and reducing feelings of emotional exhaustion.

Keywords

Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT)
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)
Marital Burnout
Couples
Journal of Saveh University of Medical Sciences
Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer 2026

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