Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
, Department of Psychology, Rudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rudehen, Iran.
2
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
3
Professor, Depatment of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Rudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rudehen, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of paradox therapy in alleviating pain anxiety and enhancing self-empathy among women diagnosed with breast cancer.Method: The research employed a single-case, multiple-baseline design with follow-up phases. The study included female with breast cancer who sought treatment at hospitals in Tehran between 2021 and 2022. A sample of three patients was selected from this population, The assessment tools utilized were the Pain Questionnaire by McCracken and Dhingra and the Empathy Questionnaire by Manavipour et al. The data were analyzed using the improvement percentage index, as well as within- and between-situation analyses with the assistance of SPSS and Excel software.
Results: The results indicated that paradox therapy had a moderate to high effect on reducing pain anxiety among women with breast cancer during the treatment stage and a high effect during the follow-up phase. It also demonstrated a moderate effect on self-empathy both during treatment and follow-up. The intra-situational and inter-situational analyses revealed significant differences between the baseline and intervention stages for all participants (PND=100). The efficacy and sustainability of paradox therapy in addressing pain anxiety and enhancing self-empathy among women with breast cancer were confirmed during the follow-up phase.Conclusion: The findings of this research suggest that paradox therapy holds promise as a method for reducing pain anxiety and increasing self-empathy in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that clinical psychologists consider utilizing this treatment approach to alleviate pain anxiety and promote self-empathy in this population
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