Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes
This systematic review examines the effect of integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) in promoting marital reconciliation among couples experiencing relational distress, with a focus on emotional reattachment as a distinct outcome. Following PRISMA guidelines, five academic databases including...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sage Publication
2025
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| Online Access: | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/ |
| _version_ | 1848827523516858368 |
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| author | Mansor, Abu Talib Guo, Juncheng Noradilah, Md Nordin Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta, Jamaludin |
| author_facet | Mansor, Abu Talib Guo, Juncheng Noradilah, Md Nordin Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta, Jamaludin |
| author_sort | Mansor, Abu Talib |
| building | UMP Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This systematic review examines the effect of integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) in promoting marital reconciliation among couples experiencing relational distress, with a focus on emotional reattachment as a distinct outcome. Following PRISMA guidelines, five academic databases including PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost were systematically searched for empirical studies published between 2005 and 2025. Thirteen eligible studies were identified and synthesized to evaluate IBCT's impact on reconciliation-related outcomes, including emotional reattachment, conflict resolution, relational stability, and renewed commitment. Findings indicate that IBCT enhances reconciliation by fostering emotional acceptance, improving communication, and promoting mutual understanding, with key therapeutic mechanisms such as unified detachment, empathic joining, and culturally responsive adaptations. Several studies underscore the importance of communication training, emotional safety, and tailored intervention frameworks. Overall, IBCT appears to be a promising intervention for couples seeking reconciliation, particularly due to its integrated emphasis on behavioral change and emotional acceptance, which supports the complex process of rebuilding trust and relational connection. Future research should further explore cultural adaptation, long-term effectiveness, and integration with complementary therapeutic models. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:02:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | ump-45902 |
| institution | Universiti Malaysia Pahang |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T04:02:04Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Sage Publication |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | ump-459022025-10-24T06:17:18Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/ Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes Mansor, Abu Talib Guo, Juncheng Noradilah, Md Nordin Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta, Jamaludin H Social Sciences (General) This systematic review examines the effect of integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) in promoting marital reconciliation among couples experiencing relational distress, with a focus on emotional reattachment as a distinct outcome. Following PRISMA guidelines, five academic databases including PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost were systematically searched for empirical studies published between 2005 and 2025. Thirteen eligible studies were identified and synthesized to evaluate IBCT's impact on reconciliation-related outcomes, including emotional reattachment, conflict resolution, relational stability, and renewed commitment. Findings indicate that IBCT enhances reconciliation by fostering emotional acceptance, improving communication, and promoting mutual understanding, with key therapeutic mechanisms such as unified detachment, empathic joining, and culturally responsive adaptations. Several studies underscore the importance of communication training, emotional safety, and tailored intervention frameworks. Overall, IBCT appears to be a promising intervention for couples seeking reconciliation, particularly due to its integrated emphasis on behavioral change and emotional acceptance, which supports the complex process of rebuilding trust and relational connection. Future research should further explore cultural adaptation, long-term effectiveness, and integration with complementary therapeutic models. Sage Publication 2025-10 Article PeerReviewed pdf en https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/1/abu-talib-et-al-2025-integrative-behavioral-couple-therapy-%28ibct%29-for-marital-reconciliation-a-systematic-review-of.pdf Mansor, Abu Talib and Guo, Juncheng and Noradilah, Md Nordin and Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta, Jamaludin (2025) Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families. pp. 1-11. ISSN 1066-4807. (In Press / Online First) (In Press / Online First) https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807251384198 https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807251384198 https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807251384198 |
| spellingShingle | H Social Sciences (General) Mansor, Abu Talib Guo, Juncheng Noradilah, Md Nordin Anne Noor Sri Juwaneeta, Jamaludin Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title | Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title_full | Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title_fullStr | Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title_short | Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| title_sort | integrative behavioral couple therapy (ibct) for marital reconciliation: a systematic review of outcomes |
| topic | H Social Sciences (General) |
| url | https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/ https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45902/ |