Ethics code: IR.IAU.KHOISF.REC.1402.082
1- Master of Clinical Psychology, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract: (30 Views)
Background and Objective: Women play a pivotal role in the stability and quality of marital relationships, and their psychological well-being significantly affects the dynamics and satisfaction within these relationships. Among various personality characteristics, histrionic behaviors—characterized by attention-seeking, emotional exaggeration, and dramatic interpersonal expressions—can lead to maladaptive relational patterns, resulting in marital dissatisfaction and emotional exhaustion. Marital boredom, as a psychological outcome, is closely associated with both individual mental health and overall marital quality. Given the potential negative impact of histrionic behaviors on spousal relationships and the scarcity of research on effective interventions for this population, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT), also referred to as Style Deactivation Therapy, in reducing marital boredom and enhancing resilience among married women exhibiting histrionic traits.
Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental clinical trial design with a pretest-posttest and control group framework. The target population included married women with observable histrionic behaviors who sought consultation at family counseling centers in Isfahan, Iran. Forty eligible participants were recruited voluntarily and randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20). Data collection instruments comprised the Couples’ Burnout Questionnaire developed by Pines (1996) to assess marital boredom and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC, 2003) to measure resilience.
The experimental group participated in ten 90-minute sessions of Mode Deactivation Therapy, which focused on identifying and modifying maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns, restructuring dysfunctional core beliefs, and enhancing emotional regulation and coping skills. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. To ensure that the assumptions of parametric tests were satisfied, data were first evaluated using Shapiro-Wilk, Levene’s, and Box’s M tests. Subsequently, a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to examine the overall effect of the intervention on both marital boredom and resilience, while Univariate ANCOVA analyses were used to evaluate the intervention effects on each dependent variable separately. The significance level was set at p < 0.05, and all analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The findings indicated that Mode Deactivation Therapy resulted in a significant reduction in marital boredom and a notable increase in resilience in the experimental group compared to the control group. MANCOVA results demonstrated a statistically significant multivariate effect of the intervention, indicating that a substantial portion of the posttest variance in both dependent variables was attributable to the therapy. Univariate ANCOVA analyses showed that for marital boredom, the F-value = 11.91, p = 0.001, partial eta-squared = 0.49, suggesting that approximately 49% of the posttest variance in marital boredom was due to the intervention. Similarly, for resilience, the F-value = 3.72, p = 0.009, partial eta-squared = 0.21, indicating a meaningful improvement in resilience among participants in the experimental group.
The therapy sessions facilitated self-awareness, cognitive restructuring, and adaptive coping strategies, which collectively contributed to improvements in both marital satisfaction and psychological resilience. Women with histrionic characteristics are often prone to interpersonal conflicts, emotional instability, and heightened sensitivity to relational stressors. Therefore, the observed increases in resilience suggest that MDT may serve as a protective factor against marital stress and psychological distress. By reducing maladaptive behaviors and promoting adaptive emotional responses, participants in the experimental group were better equipped to manage daily stressors and maintain positive relational dynamics with their spouses.
Conclusion: Overall, this study provides evidence that Mode Deactivation Therapy is an effective psychological intervention for reducing marital boredom and enhancing resilience among married women exhibiting histrionic behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of targeted, evidence-based interventions to address relational dysfunctions associated with specific personality traits. These results can guide counselors, therapists, and mental health practitioners in designing and implementing programs that promote marital satisfaction and strengthen psychological resilience in women with histrionic tendencies. Future research should replicate these findings with larger, more diverse samples and extended follow-up periods to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of MDT on marital and psychological outcomes.
Keywords: Style Deactivation Therapy, marital boredom, resilience, women with histrionic behaviors
Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental clinical trial design with a pretest-posttest and control group framework. The target population included married women with observable histrionic behaviors who sought consultation at family counseling centers in Isfahan, Iran. Forty eligible participants were recruited voluntarily and randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (n = 20) and control (n = 20). Data collection instruments comprised the Couples’ Burnout Questionnaire developed by Pines (1996) to assess marital boredom and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC, 2003) to measure resilience.
The experimental group participated in ten 90-minute sessions of Mode Deactivation Therapy, which focused on identifying and modifying maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns, restructuring dysfunctional core beliefs, and enhancing emotional regulation and coping skills. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. To ensure that the assumptions of parametric tests were satisfied, data were first evaluated using Shapiro-Wilk, Levene’s, and Box’s M tests. Subsequently, a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to examine the overall effect of the intervention on both marital boredom and resilience, while Univariate ANCOVA analyses were used to evaluate the intervention effects on each dependent variable separately. The significance level was set at p < 0.05, and all analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.
Results: The findings indicated that Mode Deactivation Therapy resulted in a significant reduction in marital boredom and a notable increase in resilience in the experimental group compared to the control group. MANCOVA results demonstrated a statistically significant multivariate effect of the intervention, indicating that a substantial portion of the posttest variance in both dependent variables was attributable to the therapy. Univariate ANCOVA analyses showed that for marital boredom, the F-value = 11.91, p = 0.001, partial eta-squared = 0.49, suggesting that approximately 49% of the posttest variance in marital boredom was due to the intervention. Similarly, for resilience, the F-value = 3.72, p = 0.009, partial eta-squared = 0.21, indicating a meaningful improvement in resilience among participants in the experimental group.
The therapy sessions facilitated self-awareness, cognitive restructuring, and adaptive coping strategies, which collectively contributed to improvements in both marital satisfaction and psychological resilience. Women with histrionic characteristics are often prone to interpersonal conflicts, emotional instability, and heightened sensitivity to relational stressors. Therefore, the observed increases in resilience suggest that MDT may serve as a protective factor against marital stress and psychological distress. By reducing maladaptive behaviors and promoting adaptive emotional responses, participants in the experimental group were better equipped to manage daily stressors and maintain positive relational dynamics with their spouses.
Conclusion: Overall, this study provides evidence that Mode Deactivation Therapy is an effective psychological intervention for reducing marital boredom and enhancing resilience among married women exhibiting histrionic behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of targeted, evidence-based interventions to address relational dysfunctions associated with specific personality traits. These results can guide counselors, therapists, and mental health practitioners in designing and implementing programs that promote marital satisfaction and strengthen psychological resilience in women with histrionic tendencies. Future research should replicate these findings with larger, more diverse samples and extended follow-up periods to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of MDT on marital and psychological outcomes.
Keywords: Style Deactivation Therapy, marital boredom, resilience, women with histrionic behaviors
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology
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