Iranian Journal of Educational Research

en The Effect of Schema Conceptualization in Couple Therapy on Perceived Stress and Intimacy among Couples with Extramarital Relationship Problems Educational Psychology پژوهشي Original <div style="text-align: justify;">Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy based on schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on intimacy and the forgiveness process among couples involved in extramarital relationships. Methods: This research was a quasi‑experimental study with a pretest–posttest design and follow‑up, including a control group. It was applied in purpose, quasi‑experimental in method, and used repeated measures with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all women seeking divorce who attended counseling and social work centers in District 11 of Tehran in 2025. From this population, 60 individuals were selected through purposive sampling from a pool of 100 candidates and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (30 participants in each group). Two standardized questionnaires—Ray’s Forgiveness Scale (1988) and the Walker and Thompson Intimacy Scale (IS)—were completed by the couples. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS‑26 software, employing mean and standard deviation indices in the pretest and posttest stages. Results: The results indicated that integrative schema‑based and ACT couple therapy improved intimacy and forgiveness in couples involved in extramarital relationships. Conclusions: By modifying maladaptive schemas and enhancing acceptance and commitment, this intervention yielded lasting effects and is recommended as an effective approach for improving marital relationships.</div> Couples therapy, Schema therapy, Perceived stress, Couples’ intimacy 0 0 http://ijer.hormozgan.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-546-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Seyyed Akram Mousavi Ara amousavi-ara@gmail.com 10031947532846004891 10031947532846004891 Yes Ph.D Student of Counseling, Department of psychology, Khomein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran Alireza Molazadeh Molazadeha@iau.ac.ir 10031947532846004892 10031947532846004892 No Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ashtian Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran Hassan Heydari Heydarih@iau.ac.ir 10031947532846004893 0009-0000-0000-0000 No Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Ashtian Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran