Effect of a Greenberg-based emotion-focused intervention on marital stress in patients with burn injuries

Burn injuries can result in persistent changes in appearance, body image, physical functioning, and emotional well-being that may interfere with intimate relationships. Emotional difficulties associated with altered self-perception and concerns about acceptance may contribute to marital stress. This study aimed to determine the effect of a Greenberg-based emotion-focused intervention (EFI) on marital stress among patients with burn injuries. This randomized controlled trial included 40 married patients with burn injuries who were recruited using convenience sampling and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention (n = 20) or control (n = 20) group using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Marital stress was assessed using the Stockholm Marital Stress Scale at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after completion of the intervention. Participants in the intervention group received 10 weekly emotion-focused sessions, each lasting approximately 60 min, based on Greenberg’s emotion-focused framework. The control group received routine care. Data were analyzed using a 2 × 3 mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance. All 40 participants completed the three assessment points, resulting in a 100% retention rate. The groups did not differ significantly in baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Baseline marital stress scores did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups (43.41 ± 8.08 vs. 46.00 ± 6.16, respectively; p = .26). A significant Group × Time interaction was observed for marital stress F = 62.92, p < .001, ηp 2 = .624. In the intervention group, marital stress decreased significantly from baseline to post-intervention (mean difference = 6.36, p < .001) and from post-intervention to the 1-month follow-up (mean difference = 2.10, p < .001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. A Greenberg-based EFI significantly reduced marital stress among patients with burn injuries, with the reduction maintained at the 1-month follow-up. EFI may therefore be considered a complementary psychosocial component of comprehensive burn rehabilitation for patients experiencing marital difficulties.