Emotionally Focused Therapy for Improving Marital Satisfaction and Reducing Fear of Intimacy in Couples with Communication Problems

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Therapy in increasing marital satisfaction and reducing fear of intimacy among couples with communication problems.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest control-group design with follow-up. The sample included 30 couples with communication problems who referred to counseling centers in Iran. Couples were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15 couples) or a control group (n = 15 couples). The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute sessions of Emotionally Focused Therapy, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Communication Patterns Questionnaire, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and Fear of Intimacy Scale. Analysis of covariance and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used for data analysis.

Findings: After controlling for pretest scores, Emotionally Focused Therapy significantly increased marital satisfaction (F = 83.81, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.595) and significantly reduced fear of intimacy (F = 86.15, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.602). Repeated-measures analysis showed significant time × group effects for marital satisfaction (F = 59.60, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.507) and fear of intimacy (F = 62.42, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.519). Improvements were maintained at follow-up.

Conclusion: Emotionally Focused Therapy improved marital satisfaction and reduced fear of intimacy in couples with communication problems. EFT may be useful for strengthening emotional bonding and relational functioning.