Mirzazade Z, Molazade J, Hadianfard H, Taghavi M. The effect of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT) on shame and intimacy in couples: a randomized controlled trial (RCT). BMC Psychol. 2025 Oct 7;13(1):1111. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03415-3. PMID: 41057959; PMCID: PMC12506414.
This study is a randomized controlled trial with 26 married couples aimed at understanding the disrupting nature of shame on intimacy and vulnerability in couples, and how EFCT can help enhance intimacy and decrease shame in couples. The study results (utilizing couples’ self-reports on The Experience of Shame Scale and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships) reflected increased intimacy and decreased shame after a course of EFCT.
