Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Dysfunctional Cognition Among Couples in Marital Conflicts in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

The study investigated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on dysfunctional cognition among couples in marital conflict in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Two research objectives and two null hypotheses guided the study. Quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study with a population of sixty-eight (68) couples experiencing marital conflict and have reported their cases in a social welfare center in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A sample of twenty (20) couples were selected using multistage sampling techniques consisting of purposive and proportionate sampling. A questionnaire was adapted and modified as the instrument for data collection to measure cognitive distortion and unrealistic expectations, specifically for the study’s purpose, resulting in the creation of the Dysfunctional Cognition Questionnaire (DCQ). The DCQ was validated by three experts from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in the Departments of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, Measurement and Evaluation. The study employed a pretest-posttest design with a single test group, which participated in nine therapy sessions, each lasting 60-90 minutes. The DCQ, comprising two sections - cognitive distortions and unrealistic expectations - was used to collect data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the participants’ cognitive patterns and expectations before and after the therapy sessions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis, with paired sample t-tests that was conducted at 0.05 level of significance to determine the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy while on both null hypotheses. The findings from the study revealed that: cognitive behavioural therapy does not have any significant effect on unrealistic expectations among couples in marital conflict in Federal capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria (p = 0.781, t cal = 0.280); cognitive behavioral therapy has significant effect on cognitive distortions among couples in marital conflict in Federal capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria (p = 0.000, t cal = 10.955). Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that: Mental Health Professionals with other stake holders working with couples in conflict at various levels in FCT Abuja, Nigeria, should combine CBT with other approach to more effectively address unrealistic expectations.