Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Friendly City Psychology, PLLC, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA.
J Clin Psychol. 2023 Apr;79(4):909-936. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23443. Epub 2022 Sep 28.
This study developed and pilot-tested an adaptation of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) to target two aspects of relational flexibility in couples: the ability to generate alternative perspectives, and the ability to respond nondefensively when alternative partner perspectives are raised within challenging relationship situations (referred to as flexibility in partner perspectives).
CBM-FlexC training materials were developed in Phase 1, and expert users (N = 4) and end-point users (N = 7) provided qualitative feedback. Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of CBM-FlexC were evaluated in Phase 2, using an online sample of distressed couples (N = 18). Using a multiple baseline design, participants completed three baseline assessments, six CBM-FlexC sessions over 2 weeks, and a 1-month follow-up.
CBM-FlexC training resulted in greater flexibility in partner perspectives, relationship satisfaction, and general psychological flexibility compared to baseline, and improvements were maintained 1-month after training when using mixed-effects models. However, analyses of reliable change (based on graphical inspection and the Reliable Change Index) indicated that most participants did not experience reliable improvement in flexibility in partner perspectives, or relationship satisfaction.
This pilot study provides some positive signals regarding the potential efficacy of CBM-FlexC, while pointing to the need for further development to strengthen its effects.
本研究开发并试点测试了认知偏差修正（CBM）的改编版，以针对夫妻关系中两个方面的关系灵活性：生成替代观点的能力，以及在具有挑战性的关系情境中提出替代伴侣观点时做出非防御性回应的能力（称为伴侣观点的灵活性）。
在第 1 阶段开发了 CBM-FlexC 培训材料，专家用户（N=4）和最终用户（N=7）提供了定性反馈。在第 2 阶段，使用在线样本对处于困境中的夫妇（N=18）评估了 CBM-FlexC 的可行性和初步效果。使用多基线设计，参与者完成了三项基线评估、两周内六次 CBM-FlexC 课程和一个月的随访。
与基线相比，CBM-FlexC 训练导致伴侣观点、关系满意度和一般心理灵活性方面的灵活性更大，并且在训练后 1 个月使用混合效应模型时，改善仍得以维持。然而，基于图形检查和可靠变化指数的可靠变化分析表明，大多数参与者在伴侣观点的灵活性或关系满意度方面并没有经历可靠的改善。
这项初步研究提供了关于 CBM-FlexC 潜在效果的一些积极信号，同时也指出需要进一步开发以增强其效果。
