Efficacy of the integrated protocol of ACT for OCD and couples in improving psychological flexibility and marital satisfaction of couples with relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (ROCD): A pilot study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the integrated protocol of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for OCD and couples on improving psychological flexibility and marital satisfaction of patients with Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD). The present study was conducted as a single-subject study with a multiple baseline design. The sample consisted of married students (patients) studying in Tehran universities who had an ROCD diagnosis. In the integrated treatment of ACT for OCD and couples, 2 patients; in ACT for OCD, 2 patients; and in ACT for couples, 2 patients were randomly assigned by lottery and then studied. Baseline scores on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) ranged from 17 to 27, increasing after treatment to 35-56 (MBLR: 50-100%; RCI: 4.37-8.74; PND = 100% for all six participants). On the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, baseline scores ranged from 25 to 48, increasing after treatment to 23-69 (MBLR: 36-100%; RCI: 3.10-6.56; PND = 100% for participants 1, 2, and 4, and 66.66% for participant 5). All participants showed clinically significant change. The integrated ACT for OCD and couples protocol was the most effective. In this pilot study, the integrated protocol of ACT for OCD and couples was the most effective in increasing psychological flexibility and marital satisfaction of clients compared to the other two treatments.

Keywords

References

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