Volume 18, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026)
nkums 2026, 18(3): 108-116 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.BIRJAND.REC.1403.029
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Khademi M, Ghanbari Hashem Abadi B A, Shahaibizadeh F. Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Reducing Spiritual Distress among Women with Breast Cancer: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Mashhad. nkums 2026; 18 (3) :108-116
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3433-en.html
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3433-en.html
1- Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ,ghanbarih@um.ac.ir
3- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ,
3- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran
Abstract: (25 Views)
Introduction: Spiritual distress is a common consequence of chronic and life‑threatening illnesses and may become more intense and complex in religious societies during collective crises. Therefore, identifying psychotherapeutic interventions and examining their effectiveness in reducing this type of distress are of particular practical importance. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Schema Therapy in reducing spiritual distress among women with breast cancer.
Methods: This quasi‑experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a two‑month follow‑up and a control group. The study population consisted of women with breast cancer who were referred to medical centers in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 43 participants were selected using convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group. The therapeutic interventions were delivered in a group format over ten 90‑minute sessions. Data were collected using the Spiritual Distress Scale. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS sofware (version 25).
Results: The results indicated that both interventions significantly reduced spiritual distress, compared to the control group (F = 88.25, η² = 0.819, P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that both treatments were effective in reducing spiritual distress; however, the effect size of Schema Therapy (d = 1.90) was larger than that of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (d = 1.07). No significant difference was observed between the posttest and follow‑up scores (P > 0.05), indicating that the treatment effects remained stable over time.
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that both therapeutic interventions can be effective in reducing spiritual distress among women with breast cancer. However, Schema Therapy may be more effective in reducing this type of distress. These results may be useful in designing psychological interventions that are appropriate to the individual and cultural characteristics of women with breast cancer patients
Methods: This quasi‑experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a two‑month follow‑up and a control group. The study population consisted of women with breast cancer who were referred to medical centers in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 43 participants were selected using convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group. The therapeutic interventions were delivered in a group format over ten 90‑minute sessions. Data were collected using the Spiritual Distress Scale. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS sofware (version 25).
Results: The results indicated that both interventions significantly reduced spiritual distress, compared to the control group (F = 88.25, η² = 0.819, P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis showed that both treatments were effective in reducing spiritual distress; however, the effect size of Schema Therapy (d = 1.90) was larger than that of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (d = 1.07). No significant difference was observed between the posttest and follow‑up scores (P > 0.05), indicating that the treatment effects remained stable over time.
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that both therapeutic interventions can be effective in reducing spiritual distress among women with breast cancer. However, Schema Therapy may be more effective in reducing this type of distress. These results may be useful in designing psychological interventions that are appropriate to the individual and cultural characteristics of women with breast cancer patients
Type of Study: Orginal Research |
Subject:
Basic Sciences
Received: 2026/04/16 | Accepted: 2026/07/13 | Published: 2026/09/29
Received: 2026/04/16 | Accepted: 2026/07/13 | Published: 2026/09/29
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