Online intervention with couples during the COVID-19 pandemic based on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

• Published in: GeSec : Revista de Gestão e Secretariado Vol. 15; no. 10; p. e4313
• Main Authors: Ramos, Fabiana Pinheiro, Haydu, Verônica Bender, Borloti, Elizeu Batista, Gandra, Cristiane Tedesco, Lopes, Joseuda Borges Castro, Moraes, Ana Paula Silva, Oliveira, Letícia Garcia de, Pires, Savana Carvalho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 29-10-2024
• ISSN: 2178-9010; 2178-9010
• DOI: 10.7769/gesec.v15i10.4313

The potential implications of the COVID-19 pandemic include an increased strain on the relationships of cohabiting couples. The effects of an online intervention based on the Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) model from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy were compared to those of a protocol with a leisure activity (movie). The participants (28 Brazilian dyads) were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1, 1st session—ACL protocol and 2nd session—movie protocol (one week apart). Group 2, in reverse order. The groups completed two scales (The Couple Assessment of Relationship Elements - CARE and Inclusion of Other in the Self Scale - IOS); one assessed marital relationship quality, and the other evaluated interpersonal closeness. The scales were answered three times: before and after each session and one week later (follow-up). The data presented homogeneity between groups before the intervention (Student’s t-test). The impact of the ACL and movie protocols on the quality of marital relationships and closeness of couples was tested using the General Mixed Model, which had random effects on individuals and couples. The mean scores obtained in the two scales increased significantly from the pre- to the post-test in ACL and movie protocols, with no discrepancy between the two interventions. In the follow-up, the score of both scales decreased. We concluded that the interventions with the ACL and the movie protocols efficiently approximated couples in the pandemic scenario and improved the relationship quality indicators right after the sessions.