Mahsa Rohani Otaghs Sara, Afsaneh Khajound Khoshli, Elnaz Pooaahmadi,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (6-2025)
Abstract
| The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and compassion-focused therapy on marital conflicts and differentiation of self among women affected by marital infidelity. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with two treatment groups, in which 40 affected women were randomly assigned to schema therapy and compassion-focused therapy groups. Data were collected using validated questionnaires on marital conflicts and differentiation of self, and analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance. The results indicated that both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced marital conflicts and enhanced differentiation of self, with significant differences observed between the two groups. Schema therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness in improving specific dimensions of marital conflicts, whereas compassion-focused therapy showed stronger effects on dimensions of differentiation of self. These findings highlight the critical role of specialized psychotherapeutic interventions in restoring psychological well-being and improving the quality of marital relationships among women affected by infidelity. They also emphasize the importance of tailoring therapeutic approaches to the individual needs and characteristics of clients. Furthermore, the results provide a scientific basis for the integrative and targeted use of these two therapeutic approaches in counseling and psychotherapy centers. |
Bahram Mohammad Rezaei, Roohollah Samadi, Razieh Yousefi, Bahman Rostami, Elahe Sanami,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) on psychological pain, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation in young girls. This quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population comprised all young girls with a history of suicide attempts who referred to counseling centers in Hamadan in 2025. Among them, 30 individuals were selected via purposive and convenience sampling methods and randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 participants) and a control group (15 participants). Data collection instruments included the Takata and Sakata Psychosomatic Complaints Scale (2004), the Perceived Burdensomeness Scale (derived from the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire by Hawkins et al., 2014), and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (2004). The experimental group received 8 sessions of compassion-focused therapy based on Gilbert’s protocol, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The findings indicated that compassion-focused therapy has a significant effect on reducing psychological pain, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation in young girls at the posttest stage (P < 0.01). Therefore, this therapeutic approach can be utilized as an efficient intervention to alleviate psychological distress and prevent self-harming behaviors in individuals with a history of suicide attempts.
