Comparative Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Integrative Systemic Couple Therapy on Fear of Intimacy in Women with a History of Partner Infidelity
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Objective: Fear of intimacy is a common psychological response in women who have experienced partner betrayal, often manifesting as emotional withdrawal, mistrust, and avoidance of vulnerability. Therapeutic interventions targeting early maladaptive schemas and relational patterns may facilitate emotional reconnection. This study compared the effectiveness of Schema Therapy (ST) and Integrative Systemic Couple Therapy (ISCT) on reducing fear of intimacy in betrayed women.
Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was employed. Thirty-six betrayed women were purposively selected and randomly assigned into three equal groups: Schema Therapy (n = 12), Integrative Systemic Couple Therapy (n = 12), and control (n = 12). Each intervention group received eight structured therapy sessions. Fear of intimacy was assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and two-month follow-up using the Fear of Intimacy Scale. Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.
Findings: Both intervention groups showed significant improvements in fear of intimacy compared to the control group (p < .001). Schema Therapy produced greater improvements than ISCT both immediately after treatment and at follow-up (F = 11.73, p < .001, η² = 0.395). These effects were sustained at follow-up, indicating long-term therapeutic benefit.
Conclusion: Schema Therapy and Integrative Systemic Couple Therapy are both effective in reducing fear of intimacy in women who have experienced partner infidelity. However, Schema Therapy appears more effective in restructuring maladaptive emotional responses and enhancing vulnerability in relational contexts. These findings support the use of targeted therapeutic models in clinical interventions for betrayal trauma.
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