Showing 64 results for Anxiety
Noura Dehghanpour, Dr Tavakol Mosazadeh, Dr Reza Kazemzadeh, Dr Vakil Nazari,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia in women with skin picking and hair pulling disorders in Tehran. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 30 female students from the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, who met the research criteria for skin picking and hair pulling disorders, were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received eight sessions of ACT, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using demographic information, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale at baseline, post-intervention, and a three-month follow-up. The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups in the pretest stage, confirming group homogeneity. However, posttest and follow-up results showed significant reductions in anxiety sensitivity and alexithymia scores in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that ACT is effective in reducing emotional and cognitive symptoms associated with skin picking and hair pulling disorders and may be considered a beneficial therapeutic approach for women affected by these conditions.
Feresheh Reza, Javanshir Asadi, Arastoo Mirani, Afsaneh Khajevand Khoshli,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in reducing anxiety and enhancing tolerance of uncertainty in women with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This research employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all women diagnosed with OCD who referred to the Sarvahana Counseling Center in Tehran in 2025. A purposive sample of 30 participants was selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants in each). The experimental group received ten sessions of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), and the Freeston Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. The results of covariance analysis indicated that short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy significantly reduced both state and trait anxiety and increased tolerance of uncertainty in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These findings support the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in improving emotional and cognitive components associated with OCD in women, and highlight its clinical utility in enhancing emotion regulation, uncertainty acceptance, and reducing rumination in this population.
Asiyeh Malakdar, Dr Javanshir Asadi, Dr Arastoo Mirani,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
| The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on reducing alexithymia in women with generalized anxiety disorder. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and control groups. A purposive sample of 45 women diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder who referred to the Aramis Psychology Clinic in Shahr-e Rey was selected and randomly assigned into three groups: schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and control. The experimental groups underwent eight 90-minute intervention sessions. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale was used to measure alexithymia, and data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Results indicated that both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced alexithymia (p < 0.05); however, schema therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving the components of emotion identification and description, as well as reducing externally oriented thinking. These findings support the beneficial role of both approaches in enhancing emotional regulation among individuals with generalized anxiety disorder and highlight the necessity of addressing emotional dimensions in psychological treatments. It is recommended that the choice of therapeutic approach be made considering the individual characteristics of the client. |
Hava Mahmoudzadeh Kenari, Afsaneh Khajound Khoshli, Javanshir Asadi,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy in reducing anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty in students with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of female high school students diagnosed with OCD during the 2024–2025 academic year in Babolsar. Thirty participants were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 in each). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of emotion-focused therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) at pretest and posttest stages. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the least significant difference test. Results indicated that emotion-focused therapy significantly reduced anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that emotion-focused therapy can be an effective approach to reduce cognitive-emotional components related to OCD in adolescents.
