Studying the effectiveness of integrated acceptance and commitment therapy based on compassion on internalized shame and psychological complications caused by hormone therapy in infertile women undergoing hormone therapy in Isfahan.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Distress Tolerance among Women with Anxiety Symptoms

Introduction: Distress tolerance, as a transdiagnostic construct, plays a pivotal role in the persistence of anxiety disorders. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on distress tolerance among women with anxiety symptoms. Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study employing a pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women with anxiety symptoms referred to counseling centers in Bojnord, Iran, during 2025. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: ACT, CFT, and control (n=15 per group). The research instruments comprised the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Distress Tolerance Scale. The experimental groups each received eight 90-minute weekly sessions of ACT and CFT, respectively, while the control group received no intervention. Results: Analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant between-group differences in the distress tolerance (F=73/64, p=0/001) and all subscales (p<0/001). Effect sizes ranged from 0/32 to 0/78. Post-hoc comparisons indicated that both ACT and CFT produced significant improvements in the total score and all subscales of distress tolerance relative to the control group (p<0/001); however, no statistically significant difference was found between the two interventions (p>0/05). Conclusion: ACT and CFT are equally effective and clinically viable transdiagnostic interventions for improving multiple dimensions of distress tolerance in women with anxiety symptoms. Clinicians may draw upon either protocol to enhance distress tolerance capacity in comparable clinical populations.

The effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on psychological distress and self-critical rumination in infertile women: a quasi-experimental study

Infertility is a significant source of psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in reducing psychological distress and self-critical rumination among infertile women. A quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test and a control group was used. A convenience sample of 50 infertile women from the Urmia Health Center, Iran, were non-randomly allocated to an ACT group (n = 25) or a control group (n = 25). The experimental group received an eight to ten session ACT program, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Participants completed the Kessler psychological distress scale and the self-critical rumination scale at pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance to compare post-test scores while controlling for pre-test scores and key demographics. A mediation analysis was also conducted. The trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT; https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/search/result?query = IRCT20250618066207N1). The results revealed that the ACT group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in both psychological distress [F(1, 44) = 54,177, p-value < 0.001, partial η² = 0.99] and self-critical rumination [F(1, 44) = 15,752, p-value < 0.001, partial η² = 0.99] compared to the control group. The mediation analysis indicated a nonsignificant indirect effect, suggesting that the reduction in psychological distress was not mediated by changes in self-critical rumination (ß = 0.28, 95% CI [−13.71, 14.12]). This study provides novel evidence that ACT is a highly effective intervention for alleviating psychological distress in infertile women. A unique and valuable contribution is the finding that while ACT reduces both distress and self-critical rumination, the therapeutic benefits for distress are not mediated by a reduction in rumination. This challenges a potential assumption and directs future research to identify the true active mechanisms of ACT in this population.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Emotion Self-Regulation and Attitudes toward Extramarital Relationships in Marginalized Infertile Women

To increase emotional self-regulation and reduce attitudes toward extramarital relationships in vulnerable groups, including marginalized infertile women can be used the emotion-focused therapy.

Therapy for Spiritual Health and Psychological Resilience of Women with Forced Marriage Experience

An Investigation of Psychological Factors Related to Distress Feeling in the Infertile Women

Comparison of Therapist‐Guided Versus Self‐Guided Internet‐Based Stress Inoculation Therapy (ISIT) on Psychological Distress Symptoms in Women After Miscarriage in Iran: A Study Protocol of a Randomized Clinical Trial

The positive results of ISIT counseling on psychological distress symptoms and reducing perinatal grief during follow-ups conducted immediately post-intervention and 3 months after the intervention suggest that it will be useful for managing the complications of spontaneous abortion.