The Effectiveness of Imago Therapy on Emotional Alexithymia and Communication Patterns in Married Women Experiencing Emotional Burnout

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education ,Sari, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.

3 Assistant Prof., Department of Educational Sciences, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education ,Sari, Iran

10.22098/jfrs.2025.17833.1251

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Imago Therapy on emotional alexithymia and communication patterns in married women experiencing emotional burnout.

Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted using a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included married female students in Sari County during the academic year 2023–2024. A purposeful sampling method was employed, and participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received ten 90-minute sessions of Imago Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data collection tools included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Emotional Burnout Questionnaire (IPFS), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS software. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was applied at the inferential level.

Results: The results revealed that Imago Therapy significantly improved components of emotional alexithymia (F = 8.735, p < 0.01) and communication patterns (F = 11.112, p < 0.01) in married women experiencing emotional burnout.

Conclusion: According to the results, it can be stated that imago therapy can effectively help married women manage emotional drowning, and thus, ultimately, lead to improving the quality of marital relationships and increasing their satisfaction with their life together.

Keywords

Journal of Family Relations Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 October 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 08 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 15 October 2025

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