The Effectiveness of the Acceptance and Commitment Approach on Mate Retention Strategies in Women with Experience of Remarriage

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach on mate retention strategies among women with remarriage experience. This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of women with remarriage experience who had referred to counseling centers in Gonbad-e Kavus during the first half of 2023 due to marital problems in their second marriage. Twenty-four participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (n=12 per group). Data were collected using the Mate Retention Inventory–Short Form (MRI-SF). The experimental group participated in eight weekly 90-minute ACT sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant overall difference between the experimental and control groups on the dependent variables (Wilks’ Lambda, F=34.08, p<0.001). After controlling for pretest scores, ANCOVA results demonstrated a significant increase in the Provision of Benefits dimension among participants receiving ACT (F=38.83, p<0.001, η²=0.519). Furthermore, a significant reduction was observed in the Cost Infliction dimension (F=54.04, p<0.001, η²=0.600). The effect sizes indicated that a substantial proportion of variance in mate retention strategies was attributable to the intervention. The findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy effectively improves mate retention strategies in women with remarriage experience by enhancing benefit-provision behaviors and reducing cost-inflicting behaviors. Through promoting psychological flexibility, acceptance of internal experiences, and value-based committed action, ACT contributes to healthier marital interactions and greater stability in remarital relationships.