The effectiveness of compassion-focused psychotherapy on depression and anxiety of divorced women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Senior expert in family counseling, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Consulting Department of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Divorce is considered as one of the leading factors for mental disorder in persons ‘ life. Mental disorders is more frequent in divorced persons than married people. The aim  of this study was to determine the effectiveness of compassion-focused psychotherapy on decreasing depression and anxiety in divorced women.
Method: The method of the study was non-congruent multiple baselines experimental single case design. Four divorced women were selected using convenience sampling method. Participants participated in the several baseline steps, 8 intervention compassion-focused therapy sessions and 2 follow-ups. The instruments used were Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using Visual Drawing method, Permanent Change Index, and Percentage Improvement Formula.
Results: The results showed that compassion- focused therapy significantly reduced  depression and anxiety symptoms of divorced women. A follow-up of two or four weeks also indicated the sustainability of the therapeutic changes.
Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, compassion-focused therapy could significantly affect depression and anxiety in divorced women. Consequently this treatment is recommended as a useful intervention and a new method for reducing depression and anxiety to psychotherapists and family therapists.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 March 2018
  • Revise Date: 11 July 2018
  • Accept Date: 25 June 2018

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