Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: Marital conflicts are among the key factors that weaken the foundation of the family, with women being particularly affected by such conflicts. Self-silencing and emotional blackmail appear to be influential factors contributing to marital conflicts. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of Imago Therapy (a relationship-focused approach) on self-silencing and emotional blackmail in women experiencing marital conflicts. Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population included all women seeking services at counseling centers in Yazd in 2024 (1403 in the Iranian calendar). A total of 30 participants were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Assessments were conducted using the Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (Sanai & Barati, 1990), the Self-Silencing Scale (Jack, 1991), and the Emotional Blackmail Scale (Karnani, 2018). The experimental group received Imago Therapy across eight sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: The results showed that Imago Therapy was effective in reducing self-silencing and emotional blackmail among women with marital conflicts. The greatest effect of the intervention was observed on the self-silencing variable (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on these findings, Imago Therapy (a relationship-focused approach) can be used to reduce destructive emotional patterns between couples, particularly self-silencing and emotional blackmail.