TRANSFORMING DYSFUNCTIONAL REMARRIAGE BELIEFS THROUGH CBT: EVIDENCE FROM DIVORCED WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Divorce can give rise to dysfunctional beliefs about remarriage, which may hinder psychological recovery and future relational adjustment. In collectivist cultures such as Pakistan, these beliefs are often reinforced by social stigma, making interventions particularly important.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in reducing dysfunctional remarriage beliefs among divorced women in Pakistan.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, mid-test, and post-test measures was conducted with 120 divorced women, assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in ten weekly CBT sessions focusing on cognitive restructuring and adaptive coping. Dysfunctional beliefs were assessed using the Remarriage Belief Inventory (RMBI Urdu version). Descriptive statistics independent sample t-test one way ANOVA and repeated measure ANOVA were used to analyse data.

Results: The CBT intervention significantly reduced dysfunctional remarriage beliefs among divorced women. Compared with the control group, the treatment group demonstrated significantly lower post-test remarriage belief scores (M = 30.46, SD = 4.26 vs. M = 52.36, SD = 7.55), t(98) = 17.87, p < .001, d = 3.57. Within the treatment group, remarriage belief scores decreased significantly from pre-test (M = 66.30, SD = 7.67) to post-test (M = 30.46, SD = 4.26), t(49) = 28.98, p < .001, d = 5.78. Repeated-measures ANOVA further confirmed a significant reduction in dysfunctional remarriage beliefs across pre-, mid-, and post-intervention assessments, F(2, 47) = 839.95, p < .001, ηp² = .94. No significant differences in treatment outcomes were observed across age, living environment, type of divorce, family system, parental status, educational level, income, socioeconomic status, or reasons for divorce (p > .05), indicating that the intervention was equally effective across demographic groups.

Conclusion: CBT was effective in modifying dysfunctional remarriage beliefs among divorced women in Pakistan. The findings underscore the potential of CBT as a culturally sensitive therapeutic approach to promote healthier cognitive perspectives on remarriage and enhance psychosocial adjustment.