Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Transactional Analysis Therapy on Rumination and Psychological Capital in Couples with Life Dissatisfaction

Extended Abstract
 
Introduction and Objectives: Life satisfaction is a comprehensive and relatively stable concept that reflects individuals’ overall feelings and evaluations regarding the world in which they live. Its importance lies in its implications for the enduring characteristics of the social system. A closer examination suggests that enhancing mental health and psychological well-being can increase individuals’ life satisfaction, as overall life satisfaction—similar to mental health—is a combination of personal and social conditions, resulting in a positive attitude toward oneself and the surrounding world (Jafari Nadoushan et al., 2017).
The family is considered a socio-cultural system influenced by the life satisfaction of its members. Couples’ life satisfaction is affected by multiple factors, including the level of affection between spouses, shared values, duration of marriage, commitment, loyalty and respect in the marital relationship, mutual support, and strong religious beliefs (Zare & Safiari Jafarabad, 2015). Research indicates that one of the key factors contributing to couples’ life dissatisfaction is rumination, which encompasses negative past memories and leads to the use of maladaptive coping strategies, including anger, criticism, and reduced problem-solving motivation (Caldwell, 2019).
Another factor associated with life dissatisfaction among couples is psychological capital. This construct represents a positive-oriented variable used to assess and measure four key psychological components: hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy. Psychological capital has emerged as a valuable resource within the family environment, enabling couples to cope effectively with life challenges and stressors through motivation and confidence, thereby promoting well-being and life satisfaction (Mostafaei et al., 2022).
In the present study, schema therapy is introduced as an approach that, by identifying couples’ automatic negative thoughts and applying evaluative techniques to examine the content of anxiety-based beliefs and managing them, facilitates the revision of marital interactions, reduces maladaptive rumination (stemming from anxiety), and enhances psychological capital (stemming from feelings of inadequacy) (Ghasemi & Moahidi, 2022; Nasiri et al., 2021). Transactional Analysis (TA) therapy, on the other hand, is another approach that, through practicing reinterpretation of events and strengthening adult behaviors, fosters hope and goodwill toward oneself, the spouse, and the world, corrects unhealthy marital interactions, and contributes to improving couples’ rumination and psychological capital (Fazel Hamdani & Ghorban Jahromi, 2018; Ghorban Pour Lafmajani, 2024).
The present study seeks to answer two main questions:

Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of schema therapy and transactional analysis therapy on rumination in couples experiencing life dissatisfaction?
Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of schema therapy and transactional analysis therapy on psychological capital in couples experiencing life dissatisfaction?

Method: The present research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and a two-month follow-up, including a control group. The study followed a three-group design: one group received schema therapy, one group received transactional analysis therapy, and one group served as the control group.
The statistical population consisted of all couples experiencing life dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in Shahriar County. A total of 45 couples were selected based on inclusion criteria and sample size adequacy and were randomly assigned to three groups (15 couples per group).
For data analysis, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using SPSS version 26.
Results: Regarding the first research question—whether there is a significant difference between the effectiveness of schema therapy and transactional analysis therapy on rumination in couples experiencing life dissatisfaction—the results indicated that in the post-test stage, the schema therapy group showed a significant difference in rumination compared to both the transactional analysis therapy group and the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the transactional analysis therapy group and the control group. These results were replicated at the two-month follow-up.
Regarding the second research question—whether there is a significant difference between the effectiveness of schema therapy and transactional analysis therapy on psychological capital in couples with life dissatisfaction—the results showed that in the post-test stage, there was no significant difference between the schema therapy group and the transactional analysis therapy group. However, both experimental groups showed significant improvements compared to the control group. These findings were also consistent at the follow-up stage.
Discussion and Conclusion: Schema therapy facilitates the growth and self-awareness of couples by helping them better understand their values and beliefs, recognize their strengths and weaknesses through self-expression and openness, practice active listening, perceive the effects of their thoughts on one another, and view themselves from their partner’s perspective. These processes contribute to a reduction in rumination among couples. Additionally, schema therapy fosters responsibility for the consequences of previous maladaptive beliefs and enhances understanding of fundamental personal needs, supporting the development of a successful identity. Consequently, it strengthens psychological capital, including hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy in couples.
Transactional analysis therapy, by providing tools and techniques for self-awareness and modification of maladaptive behavioral and cognitive patterns, enables couples to achieve a more positive self-perception and recognition of their abilities. This, in turn, can enhance assertive communication styles, reduce sensitivity to rejection and neglect, and improve psychological capital.
Acknowledgement: We sincerely thank all those who supported us in conducting this research.
Conflict of Interests: According to the authors, the present article has no conflicts of interest.