اثر بخشی مشاوره فردی بر دل‌زدگی زناشویی، بخشودگی و میل به طلاق زنان افغان آسیب دیده از خیانت زناشویی

Marital infidelity is recognized as one of the most challenging and damaging issues in intimate relationships, leading to profound psychological, emotional, relational, and social consequences. In many cultural settings, including Afghanistan, marital infidelity not only threatens the foundation of marriage but also evokes intense emotions such as anger, shame, and helplessness in the affected partner. Afghan women experience heightened vulnerability due to traditional gender roles, social pressures, economic and legal limitations, and cultural expectations related to maintaining family stability. Therefore, addressing the psychological needs of women affected by marital infidelity requires culturally sensitive, context-oriented, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Despite the high prevalence of this issue and its extensive consequences, no counseling programs have yet been specifically designed and evaluated for Afghan women affected by marital infidelity. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a counseling package developed based on the lived experiences of Afghan women affected by marital infidelity, and to evaluate its impact on marital burnout, divorce tendency, and forgiveness.

This study employed a single-case A-B experimental design with a baseline phase to closely monitor individual changes over time and assess the clinical significance of the results. The statistical population included all Afghan women affected by marital infidelity who sought services in counseling centers and dispute resolution centers in Herat, Afghanistan, in 2023. Using convenience sampling, three women who met the inclusion criteria were selected. These participants attended eight individual counseling sessions and completed assessment instruments. Inclusion criteria consisted of informed consent and willingness to participate, experience of marital infidelity, absence of physical or movement-related problems, literacy, fluency in Persian for questionnaire completion, and age between 20 and 45 years. Exclusion criteria included the diagnosis of psychological disorders or the need for psychiatric medication after the start of the intervention, receiving simultaneous treatments, absence from at least two intervention sessions, failure to complete therapeutic assignments, and lack of cooperation or motivation to continue participation. The counseling protocol addressed key domains such as identifying thoughts and emotions related to infidelity, regulating and processing emotional distress, fostering empathy, reducing blame, promoting personal responsibility, and rebuilding trust. The intervention was guided by therapeutic empathy, cultural sensitivity, and an integration of evidence-based techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotion-focused approaches, compassion-focused therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.

Data were collected at six time points, including baseline, during the intervention, and post-intervention. At each time point, participants completed questionnaires assessing marital burnout, divorce tendency, and forgiveness. Data analysis was conducted through visual analysis of change and stability patterns, along with calculating recovery percentages and reliable change indices to determine clinical significance. This approach allowed for accurate observation of individual change trajectories and ensured reliable interpretation of outcomes. The findings indicated substantial and clinically meaningful improvement in all participants. The average improvement in marital burnout was 53%, reflecting significant reductions in emotional exhaustion, psychological fatigue, and anger toward the spouse. Participants also reported enhanced emotional regulation, increased self-confidence, and greater readiness to confront relationship realities, whether pursuing reconciliation or focusing on personal independence. Divorce tendency decreased by an average of 42%, indicating greater cognitive clarity, increased willingness for compromise and emotional expression, strengthened commitment, reduced desire to exit the relationship impulsively, and improved coping and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, forgiveness increased by an average of 30%, reflecting improved emotional healing, realistic understanding, reduction of resentment, and decreased retaliatory responses. It is important to note that in this intervention, forgiveness did not entail ignoring the infidelity or suppressing emotional pain; rather, it was conceptualized as a process of attaining inner peace, emotional release, and personal growth. These results emphasize the effectiveness of a culturally tailored counseling package in enhancing forgiveness, decreasing marital burnout, and reducing divorce tendency among Afghan women affected by marital infidelity. The cultural adaptation of the intervention, reliance on participants’ lived experiences, and focus on emotional processing, empowerment, and value-based decision-making were key factors contributing to its success. Given the sensitivity of infidelity in traditional societies and the lack of specialized interventions, the findings of this study hold considerable value for mental health professionals, family counseling centers, and women's support organizations in Afghanistan and similar cultural contexts. This intervention model can be implemented and adapted in counseling and community support settings. It is recommended that future research employ larger samples, control groups, and long-term follow-up assessments to strengthen the validity and generalizability of this program. In conclusion, this study provides preliminary but compelling evidence that a culturally responsive therapeutic intervention can significantly reduce marital burnout and divorce tendency while enhancing forgiveness among Afghan women exposed to marital infidelity. Implementation of such programs can play a vital role in promoting family mental health and supporting women coping with marital crises.