Journal of Counseling Research

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self regulation-attachment couple therapy on improving marital commitment and sexual function in women with extra-marital affair. Methods:  Semi-experimental research method with pre/post-test and control group including follow-up was used. The statistical population included women with extramarital affair referred to the counseling center for women in the city of Sanandaj, Iran. Using available sampling method, 30 subjects were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants each). Marital Commitment Questionnaire (Adams, Jones, 1997) and Women's Sexual Function Questionnaire (Rosen, Grandon, Myers, Hutty, 2004) were used. The intervention group received self regulation-attachment couple therapy through 8 ninety-minute sessions on a weekly basis. Data was analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Findings: Results showed that self regulation-attachment couple therapy programs significantly improved the marital commitment and sexual function. Follow-up analyses showed that these results remained stable after three months (P<0/001). Conclusion: self regulation-attachment couple therapy approach by helping women achieve greater adjustment in relationship, dialogue and negotiation, increasing the ability to interact and improve the marital commitment and sexual function in women with extramarital affair.  Discussions: The findings of the present study show that studying counseling and internship in this field has influenced students’ views of marriage and marital relationships in various ways.