Comparison of the Effectiveness of Time Perspective-Based Intervention and Emotional Efficacy on Physical Self-Description Components in Never-Married Women Experiencing the Climacteric Period
2026· Mental Health and Lifestyle Journal· Vol 4, pp. 1-12· 0 citations
TL;DR
It is suggested that time perspective-based intervention can be utilized as an efficient approach to improving psychological constructs related to physical self-description in never-married women experiencing the climacteric period.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of time perspective-based intervention and emotional efficacy on physical self-description components in never-married women experiencing the climacteric period. The research employed a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design featuring a control group. Participants consisted of single women with no history of marriage who were experiencing the climacteric period; they were randomly assigned into three groups: time perspective training, emotional efficacy training, and a control group. Both intervention groups participated in several group therapy/training sessions, while the control group received no intervention. The research instrument included the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) by Marsh et al. (2010), which was completed across the three stages of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine the effects of time, group, and the time group interaction. The results indicated that both interventions, compared to the control group, led to a significant increase in physical self-description during the post-test and follow-up stages. Furthermore, in most components, the time perspective-based intervention demonstrated greater effectiveness than emotional efficacy, such that the increase in physical self-description in the time perspective group was more stable and exhibited a stronger effect size. These findings suggest that time perspective-based intervention can be utilized as an efficient approach to improving psychological constructs related to physical self-description in never-married women experiencing the climacteric period.
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and yoga therapy in improving communication patterns among depressed married women. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and control group was employed. The population comprised married women aged 20–45 years diagnosed with depressive disorder and referred to counseling centers in Chalous. Thirty eligible participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of ten. One experimental group received twelve 90-minute sessions of EFT, another received twelve 90-minute sessions of yoga therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Christensen and Sullaway Marital Communication Patterns Questionnaire and analyzed using ANCOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. ANCOVA results revealed a significant group effect on all three communication components: constructive communication (F=182.64, p=0.001, η²=0.938), mutual avoidance (F=162.11, p=0.001, η²=0.931), and demand/withdraw (F=65.02, p=0.001, η²=0.844). Bonferroni tests indicated that EFT outperformed both yoga and control groups, and yoga therapy also showed significant improvements compared to the control group. Both EFT and yoga therapy effectively improved communication patterns in depressed married women, but EFT demonstrated stronger effects and can be considered a priority intervention for enhancing marital relationships in this population.
Zohreh Kiakojouri, A. K. Khoshli, Hiva Mahmodi· Health Psychology and Behavi...· 0 citations
The present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) on empathy and symptoms of marital depression in couples. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design including two experimental groups and one control group. The sample of the present study consisted of 60 couples from the city of Hamadan who were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to three groups of 20 participants each. Subsequently, two groups were randomly assigned as experimental groups and one group as the control group. Standardized questionnaires were used in this study. After considering the assumptions of statistical analysis, the data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference between the schema therapy group and the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) group compared with the control group in the variables of empathy and depressive symptoms (p < .05). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the schema therapy experimental group and the Emotionally Focused Therapy experimental group based on the mean scores of the variables in the posttest and follow-up stages (p < .05). The results demonstrated that schema therapy was more effective than Emotionally Focused Therapy in increasing empathy, whereas Emotionally Focused Therapy was more effective than schema therapy in reducing symptoms of depression.
H. Siavoshi, D. Kordestani· Mental Health and Lifestyle...· 0 citations
The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the effectiveness of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on self-esteem in female breadwinner mothers. This applied study employed an experimental method with a pretest–posttest design and a three-month follow-up, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of female breadwinner mothers residing in District 14 of Tehran, from whom 45 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants (two experimental groups and one control group). The experimental groups received eight weekly 90-minute treatment sessions. Data were collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and analyzed through repeated-measures analysis of variance. The results indicated that both interventions were effective in improving the variables under investigation. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that psychological interventions grounded in compassion and mindfulness can be utilized as effective approaches for enhancing the mental health of female breadwinner mothers. Therefore, employing these approaches in supportive and counseling programs aimed at empowering this segment of society is recommended.
Shiva Parsamanesh, Reza Khakpour, Rahim Davari· Mental Health and Lifestyle...· 0 citations
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Schema Therapy (ST) on coping styles and emotion regulation in women affected by spousal infidelity. A semi-experimental pre-test–post-test design with a control group and a 3-month follow-up was conducted. The statistical population included married women affected by their husbands’ infidelity in Mashhad who responded to the workshop invitation on treating infidelity-related trauma. Forty-five eligible women were purposively selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (15 participants per group). The first experimental group received ten sessions of EFT, and the second received ten sessions of ST. Data were collected using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003) and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (Lazarus & Folkman, 1988). Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS version 27. The results indicated no significant difference between EFT and ST in improving problem-focused coping style (F=37.69, p<0.46) and emotion-focused coping style (F=61.38, p<0.51). However, EFT was significantly more effective than ST in enhancing emotion regulation among women affected by infidelity (F=27.89, p<0.017). Both therapeutic approaches can be applied to improve coping styles in women affected by marital infidelity; however, EFT is more effective for enhancing their emotional regulation. These findings provide valuable guidance for family therapists and counselors in designing culturally appropriate interventions to support couples impacted by infidelity.
Zohreh Tahavvori, Mahdi Lashgari, Mahboobe Taher· Health Psychology and Behavi...· 0 citations
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy on self-coherence in adolescents with high-risk behaviors. This applied study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest format, including a control group and a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of adolescents with high-risk behaviors referred to counseling centers of the Department of Education in Karaj in 2025. A total of 45 participants were selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned, after matching demographic characteristics, into two experimental groups and one control group (15 participants in each group). One experimental group received cognitive behavioral therapy and the other received schema therapy across eight structured sessions, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Integrative Self-Knowledge Questionnaire at three time points: pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 through descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni post hoc tests after verifying statistical assumptions. The results indicated that the main effect of group on self-coherence was not statistically significant (p = 0.440), whereas the main effect of time (p < 0.001) and the interaction effect of time and group (p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons revealed that both cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy groups showed significantly higher self-coherence scores compared to the control group at posttest (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between the two experimental groups (p > 0.05). Pairwise comparisons across time demonstrated significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up in both intervention groups (p < 0.05), with no significant differences between posttest and follow-up, indicating stability of treatment effects. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy were effective in enhancing self-coherence among adolescents with high-risk behaviors, and their effects were maintained over time, although no significant superiority of one approach over the other was observed.
Fahimeh Ghafari Moghadam, Fateme Dehghani-Arani, Elham Zarghami· Mental Health and Lifestyle...· 0 citations
Background: Schema therapy has been proposed as an integrative intervention that targets both emotional symptoms and maladaptive behavioral patterns; however, empirical evidence of its effectiveness for these outcomes remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a schema therapy-based intervention in reducing psychological distress and self-defeating behaviors among women with dependent personality traits. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The study population comprised women with dependent personality traits who were referred to psychological counseling centers in Rasht, Iran. A total of 34 participants were recruited through convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 17). The intervention group received 8 sessions of group-based schema therapy based on the mode model, whereas the control group received no intervention. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and self-defeating behaviors were measured using a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent-samples t tests and effect sizes (Cohen d) in SPSS version 26. Results: The results showed significant reductions in psychological distress and self-defeating behaviors in the intervention group compared with the control group at posttest (P < 0.05). Large effect sizes were observed for both psychological distress and the total self-defeating behavior score, indicating clinically meaningful improvement. Conclusions: Schema therapy appears to be an effective intervention for reducing psychological distress and self-defeating behaviors among women with dependent personality traits. These findings support the use of schema-based interventions in mental health settings.
Roghayeh Tezval, Tahereh Hamzehpoor Haghighi, Z. Mirpour· Journal of Health Reports an...· 0 citations