Effectiveness of a Communication Mind-Construct Analysis-Based Package on Emotion Regulation and Empathy in Iranian Couples

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a communication mind-construct analysis–based intervention package in improving emotion regulation and empathy among Iranian couples. The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included Iranian couples aged 25–50 who met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-four couples were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (12 couples each). Data were collected using the Gross and John Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2003) and the Jolliffe and Farrington Empathy Questionnaire (2006), both validated in Iran. The experimental group participated in 8–12 structured sessions of communication mind-construct analysis, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). ANCOVA results revealed significant post-intervention differences between groups in emotion regulation (F=6.324, p=0.020) and empathy (F=10.532, p=0.004). Posttest means in the experimental group increased significantly across both variables, indicating that the intervention effectively enhanced participants’ emotional regulation skills and empathic capacities. The findings suggest that the communication mind-construct analysis–based package effectively reconstructed couples’ cognitive–emotional frameworks, improving their emotion regulation and empathy. This culturally grounded model can serve as an effective approach for promoting emotional health and relationship quality among Iranian couples.