Intervention for burnout and irrational beliefs in parents of couples seeking a divorce: A critical reflection of Igbo-African marital discord

Background:

Looking at the sociocultural dimension of marriage in the sub-region of Nigeria like Igbo, parents allow their sons and daughters to marry so that they can have homes. The expectation is for them to have permanent homes. If there is anything contrary to that such as divorce, parents usually frown at it. To some extent, the psychological effects of it may be deeply rooted in parents who hear that their children are seeking a divorce. Given this reason, this study investigated the effect of rational emotive family health therapy (REFHT) on burnout and irrational beliefs in parents of couples seeking a divorce.

Methods:

This is a pretest-posttest randomized control group research. Two instruments were used to measure 73 participants who were assigned to treatment and control arms. the intervention group received 12 sessions of counseling that aimed to decrease the level of burnout and irrational beliefs. At the end of the sessions and assessments, the data were analyzed using repeated measures, cross-tabulation, and univariate statistics.

Results:

the finding indicated that REFHT was highly effective in decreasing the high parental burnout orchestrated by irrational belief. Comparing the mean scores of the participants exposed to the intervention and those in the control group after time 1 and 2 assessments, the mean reduction of burnout and irrational beliefs further showed a positive treatment outcome. There was no significant influence of gender, time, and group.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that REFHT is significant in improving the psycho-emotional wellness of parents of couples seeking a divorce. Thus, additional research is required to validate the impact of REFHT in decreasing burnout in other populations.

1. Introduction

In our contemporary society especially in a developing country like Nigeria, issues related to divorce are generating serious challenges to researchers, religious institutions and parents. This is a result of its negative effect on society, communities, families, children, couples and their parents. Divorce could be conceived as the formal process of dissolving an existing union of a man and woman according to established custom.^[1] The researchers’ close observation indicated that couples seeking to divorce experience excruciating worries like depression, distress, and uneasy mental health. The observation aligns with Mikolajczak and Roskam^[2] who remarked that parents of a couple seeking to divorce experience prolonged responses to chronic and overwhelming parental stress. Related studies remarked shock, loss of control, ill-treatment, low self-esteem, insecurity, anger, and mental disturbances.^[3–5]

2. Philosophy of divorce

Marriage is a natural relationship that results from the innate desire of the opposing sexes for one another, and it differs from other social contracts in that it has more explicit terms and conditions, such as the sale and leasing of other social pacts.^[6] The concept of “freedom” and “equality” in marriage is added to what was previously called “compassion, empathy” there. People can coexist peacefully for a long time if this theory is followed.^[6] The original ostracized, the family cornerstone is gone, and it will be challenging to bring the family back to life if the cause or causes, such as the incorrect type of marriage and the tie between them, are there.^[6] Perhaps such individuals are kept together by the force of the law, but this will have other effects.^[7] Additionally, numerous traditions have pointed out that in their divorce is particularly prescribed in cases where infidelity, a lack of religious piety, a cantankerous woman, or prostitution are involved.^[8]

Divorce is frequently considered taboo in Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo tribe. Women choose to stay in unhappy relationships rather than file for divorce as a result.^[9] Divorced women are frequently viewed as troublemakers, inferior, and the reason why a marriage collapsed. Even members of their personal family can fail to help them at times because they would rather join others in demeaning and persecuting them.^[9] This frequently results in mental health problems.^[9] Due to the differences in the implications and the variety of diverse theological, philosophical, and scientific viewpoints, philosophers, scientists, and theologians have hardly been able to establish or come to an agreement on definitive answers for the issues surrounding marriage and divorce.^[10] These most contentious matters are judged in large part by cultural and environmental factors.^[10] Families are more likely to suffer negative and damaging repercussions of divorce than positive ones. Both immediate and long-term repercussions will be felt by every member of the family, including the children, teenagers, spouses, parents, and extended family.

Parents of couples seeking divorce could develop unhealthy mental conditions like distress, depression, anxiety and other conditions burnout not excluded.^[11] Past studies have shown that individuals including parents with depression and emotionally exhausted could be vulnerable to burnout.^[12,13] Thus, parental burnout could be conceived as an emotional challenge related to individual parental roles, in which one becomes emotionally detached from one children and doubtful of one capacity to be a good parent.^[14] In this case, parents who are drained emotionally from demands could be vulnerable to burnout.^[15] By indication, parents who experience burnout may find it difficult to maintain healthy family relationships with its members especially the married ones among them. Also, they could assume having poor emotional and psychological capacity to control the affairs of their married children especially when they lack financial assistance.^[16] A similar study noted that parental burnout could be dramatic for parents with the risk of suicide increasing.^[17] Thus, such parents could assume not to be good parents any longer thereby incurring both mental and emotional exhaustion like burnout. The effect of burnout increases cynicism, helplessness, depression, hopelessness, and psychologically demanding situations.^[5,18–20]

The statistical record showed that 3.5 million parents in the US,^[17] barely 5% in the European and Anglo-Saxon countries,^[21] and above 5% in Hungary^[22] experienced burnout. Burnout could be experienced by everyone irrespective of gender male or female. According to other empirical studies, women are also more likely to experience marital burnout than men.^[23–25] Redondo-Flórez et al^[26] reported high emotional exhaustion in females than in their male counterparts. However, some studies reported no gender differences in the experience of burnout. Remarkably, Olorunsola,^[27] indicated no gender difference in burnout experiences. A similar study reported no difference in the levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization among the male and female gender.^[28]

Thus, given the alarming rate of burnout observed among the parents of couples seeking a divorce, it becomes necessary to develop a psychological intervention to help the parents of couples seeking divorce cushion the effects of parental burnout and perfectly handle the situation and live a healthy life. Parents with burnout could be vulnerable to irrational beliefs, implying that parents with irrational beliefs could be predisposed to burnout.^[11] Specifically, parents of couples seeking divorce could be vulnerable to burnout once they erroneously believe that domestic violence is not possible. Also, once the parents thought that they can’t bear it seeing their children filing divorce notes. Thus, it is irrational to think that couples should not divorce as enshrined in their religious faith. Even though, they can no longer manage to live together, tolerate each other, and accommodate the weakness of one another. To change such automatic beliefs, the researchers have suggested a more logical rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) treatment approach^[29] like rational emotive family health therapy (REFHT) for remedy.^[30,31] Empirical evidence has shown that parental irrational beliefs could be addressed using REFHT, especially those that are domiciled in the circle of family.^[11]

The family health model of REBT was coined by Ede et al^[11] Family health therapy is an extension of REBT developed by Ellis.^[32] The objective of the model is in line with the philosophy of REBT which is aimed at helping individuals including parents of children seeking to divorce dispute and challenge their erroneous thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that could make them vulnerable to burnout. Thus, by employing REFHT, we sought to redress parental psychological distress like burnout perceived as a result of irrational thoughts and, emotions related to marital divorce. Parental burnout in this study is conceived as a way parents perceive, interpret, and assess their relevance in relation to their influence on their children marital life. Specifically, parents of children seeking divorce could be vulnerable to burnout once they erroneously misinterpret that they cannot control the affairs of their children. Empirical evidence has continued to show that individuals’ inability to dispute irrational beliefs like demandingness and low frustration tolerance could be predisposed to burnout.^[5,33] In spite of the considerable negative effects of burnout on marital relationships, there are few studies that have examined the role of psychological intervention in the management of parental burnout and irrational beliefs among parents of couples seeking a divorce. Based on this gap, this study examined parental burnout and irrational beliefs amongst parents of couples seeking a divorce using rational-emotive family health intervention. Parental burnout and irrational beliefs are hypothesized to decrease significantly after exposure to the proposed intervention at time 2 and time 3. Also, we hypothesized that couple burnout and irrational beliefs would be significantly influenced by gender.

3. Methodology

3.1. Study approval

The permission to conduct this research work was granted by the Research Ethics Committee in the Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria.

3.2. Design

The study adopted a pretest-posttest randomized control group design.

3.3. Area of the study

The study was carried out in Nsukka, Enugu North geo-political zone of Enugu States, South-Eastern Nigeria, and regional headquarters with predominantly Igbo-speaking area.

3.4. Dependent measures

The Marital Burnout Scale is a self-report scale with 28 items. The goal is to measure marital burnout in relationships.^[34] Three subscales make up the scale, including one for lack of emotional attachment (6 items), 1 for mental disorder (7 things), and 1 for emotional disturbance (15 items). The response rates were divided into 5 options using the Likert scale, with 1 being highly opposed to 5 being firmly in agreement, demonstrating that the intensity of marital burnout as the score increases. The total scores can be as low as 28 or as high as 140. The scale internal consistency is 0.98.

3.5. Parent irrational beliefs scale (PIBS)

PIBS was adopted for this study. The scale was developed by Kaya and Hamamci.^[35] In this study, the instrument was used in assessing irrational belief of parents of couples seeking to divorce. The scale is a 19- items statements related to irrational beliefs. The scale is rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 = I strongly disagree to 5 = I strongly agree. In this study, the scores are rearranged as high scores represent a high level of irrational beliefs related to parenting. The scores is weighted and rated as follows; 1 = (5point), 2 = (4points), 3 = (3points), 4 = (2points) while 5 = (1point). In this study, a Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient is 0. 84. This indicates that the instrument is valid and reliable. The validity of PIBS has been validated across cultures, for example, in Chinese, Cronbach α of the whole questionnaire was 0.836, and the split-half reliability of the whole questionnaire is 0.854 this shows that the instrument is universally acceptable.^[36]

3.6. Intervention

The current study adopted a REFHT manual used among the sampled parents seeking a divorce. The manual was first used by Ede et al^[31] in line with REBT principles and strategies. Though the original manual focused on parenting stress, the difference is that we modified the sessions to align with parental burnout. Both targeted to reduce irrational beliefs in parents. The aim was to use REBT techniques to challenge such irrational beliefs and erroneous thoughts linked to couple burnout. The manual is designed to cover 12 weeks of 12 therapeutic sessions of 1hr each week. Though some adjustments were made in the manual. The manual was face validated by 2 experts viz counseling psychologist from Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria. The manual contains several techniques such as meditation, practical exercise and interaction on individual experience,^[37] and relaxation techniques.^[38] Others include motivational interviewing and enhancing techniques.^[39] Thus, each session was designed with a particular topic including reviewing previous exercises.

3.7. Participants and treatment procedure

The participant consists of 73 parents who voluntarily declared interest to participate in the study. We reached parents through different contact means like distribution of fliers, passing information in various churches, and visiting health care centers to inform the people about the study and the possible benefit that could be drawn after partaking in the program. Thus, through their contact, we were able to contact them via text messages, direct phone contact, and as well reaching them through messages on their email. On the 27^th of April 2022, we invited them for an eligibility screening text. Out of 89 parents who showed interest in partaking in the study, 73 parents meet up with our study criteria slated out for the study. Implying that the participants agreed personally to participate. After the participants had agreed to participate in the study, the researchers used 2 dependent measures to ascertain the overall psychological condition of the participants (level of burnout and associated irrational beliefs). The criteria include signing a consent letter to participate actively without dropping out till the end of the program and identifying by the dependent measures for baseline data. Meanwhile, those who fall short of the stated criteria were excluded from the study. The eligible participants were randomized to intervention (n = 38 participants) and control (n = 35 participants) groups using simple random sequence allocation software developed by Saghaei.^[40] During randomization, a serious effort was made to ensure we eliminate any selection bias and concealment from both the researchers’ assistance and participants. The process is demonstrated in Figure 1. We also reduced the risk of potential bias by concealing some details in the questionnaires, which may unveil the group that received the actual intervention.

Figure 1.

Participants allocation diagram.

Thus, the participants in the intervention group were exposed to a 12-session REFHT treatment program while those in the control group were exposed to conventional teaching on marriage and possible causes of violence in the home within the same period. Meanwhile, 2 participants dropped out due to the death of a family member during the control group sessions, reducing the female numbers. At the end of the intervention, both groups were assessed again (posttest time 2) to determine the effectiveness of the intervention, followed by the time 3 assessment.

The intervention program was organized as follows; Sessions 1–3 focused on introductions, establishing a therapeutic relationship and guiding rules, the meaning of marriage, and challenges associated with marriage. Session 4 focuses on divorce e.g., the relationship between marriage and divorce. Session 5 deals with parental burnout. In session 6, the focus was on identifying irrational beliefs as they are associated with marriage. Session 7 focuses on the source of irrational belief in relation to the couple marriage. Session 8 identifies the consequences of irrational beliefs on parents of couples seeking a divorce. In session 9, strategies of dealing with irrational beliefs identified were looked into. In Session 10, the relationship between irrational belief and burnout was dealt with. While session 11 focuses on disputing the irrational belief that leads to burnout among parents of couples seeking divorce and session 12 marks the termination of the program.

Specifically, the topics and sessions were shared among the therapist as follows; sessions 1 to 5 were handled by a male therapists, sessions 6 to 8 were also handled by a female therapist, and the last 4 sessions were handled by the third therapist a male. All are professionals and certified consultants in handling REBT-related interventions. Hence, the rest participants successfully completed the intervention program. To achieve maximum compliance from the clients, we made a provision of entertainment like drinking water, juice, snacks, light and heavy refreshment, and soft background music. We equally made provisions (4) minibusses of 12 seaters for easy transportation. Till the end of the intervention program, we did not record any adverse effect of the intervention on any of the participants.

3.8. Therapists

Three experts with a PhD in counseling psychology and professionals in cognitive theory and family theory with over one decade of experience were employed to deliver the treatment package designed for this study. The therapists include a male and a female with an average of 45 years of age. The REFHT manual was given to each and every one of them a month before the commencement of the intervention program to study ahead of time.

3.9. Program monitoring

The services of 2 external observers were employed. The aim of employing them is to ensure that the objective of the program manual is optimally achieved. The following responsibilities were assigned to them thus ensure that the objective of the treatment goals by the research team is actualized, to ensure that the program manual is optimally maintained and also monitoring the therapists’ commitment and questioning the skills adopted as the case may be. The reason for this is to maintain absolute compliance with every aspect of the manual. Equally, the observers were given 2 different sheets to record their findings. The observers perfectly remarked on the participation level of both the therapists and participants since the record sheet contained the number of sessions each participant is expected to attend and the time voted for each session. Thus, to ensure that the therapists followed the manual strictly, the researchers monitored the implementation process from the beginning to the end.

3.10. Data analysis

The data collected was sent to analysts who used SPSS software version 28. A repeated measure statistical method was used to test the effect of the intervention on value and irrational beliefs. The partial eta squared statistical method was used to the data in order to size the effect of the intervention. Additionally, crosstabulation and bivariate analysis were used to describe the demographic details of the participants and, accordingly, the correlations of the secondary data.

4. Results

According to Table 1, the REFHI group was made up of 7 men (20.6%) and 31 women (79.5%), while the TAU control group was made up of 27 men (79.4%) and 8 women (20.5%). It is clear from the results analyses that there was a substantial gender difference among the participants (2 = 25.248, P = .001). Regarding the number of children, 15 (53.6%) of the treatment group members had 1 to 5 children, while 23 (51.1%) have 6 to 10 children. 13 (46.4%) of the participants in the TAU control group had 1 to 5 children, while 22 (48.9%) have 6 or more. From the analyses of results, there is no significant difference in the number of children observed among the participants (χ² = 0.042, P = .838).

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics of the participants.

Demographics	Categories	Treatment n/%	TAU control %	X 2	P
Gender	Male	7 (20.6%)	27 (79.4%)	25.248	.001
	Female	31 (79.5%)	8 (20.5%)
Number of children	1–5	15 (53.6%)	13 (46.4%)
	6–10	23 (51.1%)	22 (48.9%)	0.042	.838
Age	Below 60 yr	21 (58.3%)	15 (41.7%)
	70–80 yr	13 (52.0%)	12 (48.0%)	2.254	.324
	81 yr and above	4 (33.3%)	8 (66.7%)

% = Percentage, X² = Chi-Square, P = probability value.

Couple Burnout scores for the REFHI group were 105.86 (6.02), 62.67 (6.47), and 59.70 (6.03), respectively, during the pretest, post-test, and follow-up stages. According to the average result shown in Table 2, the mean Couple Burnout scores of participants in the treatment group decreased with time. Couple Burnout scores overall for the TAU were 106.29 (7.33), 95.39 (11.31), and 89.39 (9.79) respectively during the pretest, post-test, and follow-up stages. The mean Couple Burnout scores of participants in the TAU group decreased over time, but they did not reach the therapy group levels.

Table 2.

Descriptive statistics of participants according to group.

	Group	Couple burnout		PRIBS		N
		Mean	Std. deviation	Mean	Std. deviation
Pretest	REFHI	105.86	6.02	91.03	5.38	38
	TAU	106.29	7.33	91.87	6.85	35
	Total	106.06	6.64	91.43	6.10	73
Posttest	REFHI	62.67	6.47	52.33	5.69	38
	TAU	95.39	11.31	82.16	10.04	35
	Total	78.36	18.78	66.63	17.01	73
Fellow-up	REFHI	59.70	6.03	52.51	5.70	38
	TAU	89.39	9.79	80.99	9.29	35
	Total	73.93	16.94	66.17	16.21	73

TAU = treatment as usual.

At the pretest, post-test, and follow-up stages for the REFHI group, the scores for parents’ irrational beliefs were 91.03 (5.38), 52.33 (5.69), and 52.51 (5.70), respectively. The average result shown in Table 2 shows that participants in the therapy group gradually decreased their mean scores for parents’ illogical beliefs. The overall mean and standard deviation of parents’ irrational belief scores for the TAU group were 91.87 (6.85), 82.16 (10.04), and 80.99 (9.29), respectively, during the pretest, post-test, and follow-up stages. The mean parents’ irrational belief scores of participants in the TAU control group decreased with time, although they did not fall as much as those in the treatment group.

Given the sphericity assumption was violated based on Mauchly test [x²(2) = 23.468, P < .001, ε = 0.514], we employed the Sphericity to interpret the data. The results in Table 3 also suggest a statistically significant effect of group on couple burnout among parents, F (1, 71) = 174.633, P < .01, η²_P = 0.711. The results also indicate that there is a significant effect of time on burnout among parents scores, F(2, 142) = 768.274, P < .01, η²_P = 0.915. The results also indicate that burnout among parents’ scores was not influenced significantly by group and time interaction effect, F (2, 142) = 209.940, P < .01, η²_P = 0.747. The univariate analysis results revealed that the positive benefit of the intervention was maintained at the follow-up stage, F (1.72) = 247.678, P < .01, η²_P = 0.777. The results also indicate that burnout among parents’ scores was not influenced significantly by time and gender interaction effect, time, group and gender interaction effect, and group and gender interaction effect, F (2, 138) = .667, P > .515, η²_P = 0.010; F (2, 138) = 4.221, P > .017, η²_P = 0.058; and F (1,69) = .519, P > .504, η²_P = 0.006.

Table 3.

A repeated measure analysis of the effect of rational emotive family health on burnout.

Source	Type III sum of squares	Df	Mean square	F	Sig.	Partial eta squared
Couple burnout
Group	23990.599	1, 71	23990.599	174.633	0.000	0.711
Time	42400.090	2, 142	21200.045	768.274	0.000	0.915
Time * Group	11586.305	2, 142	5793.152	209.940	0.000	0.747
Follow-up	16065.986	1,72	16065.986	247.678	0.000	0.777
TIME * Gender	16.675	2, 138	8.337	.310	0.734	0.004
TIME * Group * Gender	181.498	2, 138	90.749	3.370	0.037	0.047
Group * Gender	62.582	1,69	62.582	0.450	0.504	0.006
Parents irrational beliefs
Group	21241.243	1	21241.243	181.523	0.000	0.719
Time	29049.173	2, 142	14524.587	660.717	0.000	0.903
Time * Group	9754.418	2, 142	4877.209	221.862	0.000	0.758
Follow-up	14774.982	1,72	14774.982	253.453	0.000	0.781
TIME * Gender	28.116	2, 138	14.058	0.667	0.515	0.010
TIME * Group * Gender	178.019	2, 138	89.009	4.221	0.017	0.058
Group * Gender	61.654	1,69	61.654	.519	0.474	0.007

On the other hand, the results in Table 3 also suggest a statistically significant effect of group on the irrational beliefs of parents, F (1, 71) = 181.523, P < .01, η²_P = 0.719. The results also indicate that there is a significant effect of time on couple burnout among parents scores, F(2, 142) = 660.717, P < .01, η²_P = 0.903. The results also indicate that irrational beliefs among parents’ scores was not influenced significantly by group and time interaction effect, F (2, 142) = 221.862, P < .01, η²_P = 0.758. The result of univariate analysis conducted to show the outcome of the follow-up test revealed that the positive benefit of the intervention was maintained, F (1.72) = 253.453, P < .01, η²_P = 0.781. The results also indicate that irrational beliefs among parents’ scores was not influenced significantly by time and gender interaction effect, time, group and gender interaction effect, and group and gender interaction effect, F (2, 138) = .310, P > .734, η²_P = 0.004; F (2, 138) = 3.370, P > .037, η²_P = 0.047; and F (1,69) = .450, P > .474, η²_P = 0.007. Figures 2 and 3 further demonstrated the directions of the interaction effects as measured by the measures.

Figure 2.

The interaction effect of Time and group as measured by MBI.

Figure 3.

The interaction effect of Time and group as measured by PRIBS.

Sidak post hoc analysis in Table 4 for Time effects shows that at Time 1, parents in the REFHI group had significantly similar couple burnout’ scores with the control group (Mean difference = 27.042^*, standard error = 1.092, P = .000, 95%CI: 24.371, 29.712). On the contrary, parents in the REFHI group had significantly improved the couple burnout scores at Time 2 when compared to the control group (Mean difference = −27.042, standard error = 1.092, P = .000, 95%CI: −29.712, −24.371). Additionally, at Time 3 the parents in the REFHI group still show significantly higher couple burnout scores than those in the control group (Mean difference = −31.528, standard error = 1.027, P = .01, 95%CI: −34.039, −29.018).

Table 4.

Pairwise/post hoc analysis of time according to burnout scale.

(I) Time	(J) Time	Mean difference (I-J)	Std. Error	Sig.**	95% Confidence Interval
1	2	27.042*	1.092	0.000	24.371, 29.712
	3	31.528*	1.027	0.000	29.018, 34.039
2	1	−27.042*	1.092	0.000	−29.712, −24.371
	3	4.487*	0.158	0.000	4.101, 4.873
3	1	−31.528*	1.027	0.000	−34.039, −29.018
	2	−4.487*	0.158	0.000	−4.873, −4.101

^*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

^**Adjustment for multiple comparisons: Sidak.

Sidak post hoc analysis in Table 5 for Time effects shows that at Time 1, parents in the REFHI group had significantly similar Parents’ irrational beliefs’ scores with the control group (Mean difference = 24.201, standard error = 0.946, P = .000, 95%CI: 21.888, 26.513). On the contrary, parents in the REFHI group had significantly improved the Parent irrational beliefs scores at Time 2 when compared to the control group (Mean difference = −24.201, standard error = 0.946, P = .000, 95%CI: −26.513, −21.888). Additionally, at Time 3 the parents in the REFHI group still show significantly higher Parents’ irrational beliefs’ scores than those in the control group (Mean difference = −24.696^*, standard error = 0.937, P = .01, 95%CI: −26.988, −22.404).

Table 5.

Pairwise/Post hoc analysis of time according to parental irrational beliefs scale.

(I) Time	(J) Time	Mean difference (I-J)	Std. Error	Sig.**	95% Confidence Interval
1	2	24.201*	0.946	0.000	21.888, 26.513
	3	24.696*	0.937	0.000	22.404, 26.988
2	1	−24.201*	0.946	0.000	−26.513, −21.888
	3	0.496*	0.193	0.037	0.023, 0.968
3	1	−24.696*	0.937	0.000	−26.988, −22.404
	2	−0.496*	0.193	0.037	−0.968, −0.023

^*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

^**Adjustment for multiple comparisons: Sidak.

5. Discussion

The quest for divorce in Nigeria is gaining more momentum and growing on a larger scale. Parents of those couples seeking a divorce are not in good mental condition as many of them have reported feelings of frustration, disappointment, displeasure, depression, and burnout. This study was conducted to test the effect of REFHT on burnout and irrational beliefs in parents of couples seeking a divorce. The result of the finding indicated that REFHT was highly effective in decreasing the high parental burnout orchestrated by irrational belief. Comparing the mean scores of the participants exposed to intervention and those in the control group after time 1 and 2 assessments, the mean reduction of burnout and irrational beliefs further showed a positive treatment outcome. The finding is more positive among those exposed to intervention at time 3 assessment and it was accountable to REFHT intervention. This indicates that REFHT has a substantial effect in decreasing parental burnout and irrational beliefs. The result of this study is in agreement with the previous studies that showed the effectiveness of family health therapy in cushioning the effect of irrational beliefs among parents experiencing psychological-related problems.^{[5,11,30,31,41]} The findings indicated that REBT is adding value to the perceptions of people. It is a resourceful strategy that helps people live a life that will not destroy themselves.

Another study in a different culture and orientations equally reported the effectiveness of REBT principles on burnout among parents.^[42] The current study is domesticated in the South East Nigeria different from other regions with different cultures. Our finding is equally in agreement with past evidence that REBT is effective in altering erroneous thoughts among families and improves their quality of life.^[32] This indicates that REBT approaches have a favorable potential outcome and can be extended to tackle irrational beliefs among other populations to enable them to live healthier life. Similarly, empirical studies are in line with the current study that REBT reduces parental burnout.^[43–45] Equally, since the current study is in alignment with the past studies, researchers have remarked on the need to adopt REFHT principles to help parents who are experiencing both psychological and behavioral problems cope and live happily.^[5]

The results of the present study also indicated that burnout and irrational beliefs among parents’ scores were not influenced significantly by time and gender interaction effect, time, group and gender interaction effect, and group and gender interaction effect. The result of this study is in agreement with the past studies that reported higher levels of burnout among females than their male counterparts.^[22–25] Similar study reported more emotional exhaustion in females than males.^[26] In the same vein, another past study that gender does not have any significant effect on experience of burnout.^[5] The result also aligned with the past studies that reported no gender difference in the experience of emotional challenges like burnout.^[27] Roskam and Mikolajczak^[25] reported more adverse effects of burnout on fathers. Among other populations, the effectiveness of REBT was validated in improving the psychological and emotional healthiness of female adolescents by reducing stress, anxiety, anger, and depression.^[46] By and large, the result of this study has contributed to building additional knowledge about parental burnout and irrational beliefs. Given this, we suggest the need to explore the efficacy of REFHT among other population that is experiencing psycho-emotional trauma due to divorce.

5.1. Strength of the study

Our findings have given credence to the principles and practice of REBT in assisting parents of couples seeking a divorce as it has suggested rational thoughts to cushion the effect of irrational beliefs that predispose them to burnout. The findings have added validity to the past literature as the best psycho-emotional evidence-based therapy in treating erroneous beliefs and irrational thoughts among individuals with varied psycho-emotional problems including anxiety, distress, depression, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.^[20,47,48] The present study has contributed to knowledge about burnout and irrational beliefs of parents, especially, aged ones who are experiencing psychological disturbances due to the behaviors of their children.

5.2. Weakness of the study

Like every other research work, this current study recorded some shortcomings that subsequent researchers should address. Firstly, the population sample. The number of the participant was so small to the extent that we cannot use it to generalize our findings. To this effect, future researchers should endeavor to use a larger sample among parents with irrational beliefs in relation to parenting couples seeking to divorce in both developed and developing countries including Nigeria. Secondly, we utilized only quantitative data as our source of identifying parental irrational beliefs in relation to parenting couples seeking to divorce. To this effect, it would be helpful should future studies embark on qualitative measures. Finally, the insecurity challenges within the zone and especially the time this study has been conducted also account for the study shortcomings. To this effect, we suggest that future researchers should make a change in the timeframe.

5.3. Study implication

The REFHT is remarked and validated in this current study as a promising treatment package for intimidating burnout-related symptoms and concomitant irrational beliefs among parents of couples seeking a divorce. To this effect, future research may require investigating on emotional distress of parents of newly married couples seeking to divorce in the REFHT program. Given this, professionals in the medical field should not overlook the nature of burnout response as well as the therapeutic benefits of an REBT program in the reduction of burnout-related symptoms. Rational emotional family health therapists in a developing country like Nigeria should always assist parents in recognizing how emotional exhaustion, depression, and burnout could be positively tackled and managed in order to maintain healthiness.

5.4. Future direction

Given the outcome of this study, efforts to alter the negative perceptions of parents about divorce in Igbo extraction of Nigeria should be made. Igbo traditional perspective holds that the choice of marriage partner was the exclusive right of parents.^[49] Such exclusive right does permit men or women to make the choice of their love on whom to marry. This is why the Umunna (kinsmen) always inquire to know the value orientation of the women family. The philosophy is to investigate the family values of the woman. Despite the variations in nomenclature throughout Igbo groups, the guiding principles and methods of social control and order are the same.^[50] We argued that some unacceptable philosophies about marriage in Igbo may be altered to reduce rates of divorce. It may not be a surprise that a husband or wife stands to say no over what he/she thought was an imposition in the future. Future researchers should advocate for couple intervention that will address some of the misconceptions about the marital process.

6. Conclusion

This study suggests that REFHT is significant in improving the psycho-emotional wellness of parents of couples seeking a divorce. The findings have added value to the existing empirical literature on the effectiveness of REFHT among different populations including parents experiencing burnout as a result of irrational belief in a particular situation or conditions. Our study demonstrated the efficacy of REFHT on burnout among the participants exposed to intervention compared to those in the control group. The study results equally showed that the effectiveness of the intervention was maintained. Thus, additional research is required to validate the impact of REFHT in decreasing burnout in other populations in a developing country like Nigeria.

Acknowledgments

We are sincerely grateful to all the participants who showed high level of commitment from the beginning of the program till the end. We said thank you all.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Anthony Areji, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Data curation: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Anthony Areji.

Formal analysis: Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu.

Funding acquisition: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Investigation: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Methodology: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Project administration: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Resources: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Software: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Anthony Areji, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Supervision: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo.

Validation: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo.

Visualization: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo.

Writing – original draft: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Kingsley Amadi, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.

Writing – review & editing: Grace Ngozi Omeje, Moses Onyemaechi Ede, Sylvester N. Ogbueghu, Ngozi H. Chinweuba, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel Eze, Anthony Areji, Christian Onuorah Agbo, Francis O. Ekwueme.