Volume 18, Issue 2 (Summer 2026)
2026, 18(2): 82-91 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.A.REC.1404.049
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Mehraban N, Rezaie A M. The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Fear of Intimacy, Emotional Security, and Avoidant Coping Styles in Women with Insecure Attachment. North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences 2026; 18 (2) :82-91
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3387-en.html
URL: http://journal.nkums.ac.ir/article-1-3387-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran ,samane3677s@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran ,
Abstract: (37 Views)
Introduction: Anxiety and fear of intimacy cause major challenges in emotional relationships, particularly among women with insecure attachment styles. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a schema therapy–based intervention in reducing fear of intimacy, enhancing emotional security, and decreasing avoidant relational styles among women with insecure attachment.
Methods: The study employed a quasi‑experimental pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women who visited counseling clinics in Bushehr during 2025 (N = 360). A purposive sample of 30 women was selected, and eligible individuals were randomly assigned by lottery to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received eight 120‑minute sessions of Young et al.’s schema therapy training program, while the control group did not participate in any sessions or interventions. Both groups completed the Thompson and Walker Marital Intimacy Questionnaire, Maslow’s Psychological–Emotional Security Scale, and the Simpson Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated‑measures analysis of variance and clinical significance testing, performed with SPSS (version 26).
Results: There was a significant difference between the participants who received the schema therapy intervention and those in the control group at both the post‑test and follow‑up stages (P ≤ 0.05). The effect sizes for fear of intimacy, emotional security, and avoidant coping styles were 0.35, 0.33, and 0.40, respectively.
Conclusions: The schema therapy–based intervention was found to be effective in reducing fear of intimacy, enhancing emotional security, and decreasing avoidant relational styles among women with insecure attachment.
Methods: The study employed a quasi‑experimental pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women who visited counseling clinics in Bushehr during 2025 (N = 360). A purposive sample of 30 women was selected, and eligible individuals were randomly assigned by lottery to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received eight 120‑minute sessions of Young et al.’s schema therapy training program, while the control group did not participate in any sessions or interventions. Both groups completed the Thompson and Walker Marital Intimacy Questionnaire, Maslow’s Psychological–Emotional Security Scale, and the Simpson Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated‑measures analysis of variance and clinical significance testing, performed with SPSS (version 26).
Results: There was a significant difference between the participants who received the schema therapy intervention and those in the control group at both the post‑test and follow‑up stages (P ≤ 0.05). The effect sizes for fear of intimacy, emotional security, and avoidant coping styles were 0.35, 0.33, and 0.40, respectively.
Conclusions: The schema therapy–based intervention was found to be effective in reducing fear of intimacy, enhancing emotional security, and decreasing avoidant relational styles among women with insecure attachment.
Type of Study: Orginal Research |
Subject:
Basic Sciences
Received: 2025/11/6 | Accepted: 2025/12/24 | Published: 2026/07/1
Received: 2025/11/6 | Accepted: 2025/12/24 | Published: 2026/07/1
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