Volume 23, Issue 3 (12-2025)
J Sch Public Health Inst Public Health Res. 2025, 23(3): 203-218 |
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Bordbar S, Tari Moradi A, Peyvandi P, Zhian Bagheri M, Mahmoudinia S. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Emotional Empathy in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. J Sch Public Health Inst Public Health Res. 2025; 23 (3) :203-218
URL: http://sjsph.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6442-en.html
URL: http://sjsph.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6442-en.html
1- , arezo.tarimoradi@kiau.ac.ir
Abstract: (26 Views)
Background and Aim: Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may experience difficulties in expressing emotional empathy toward others, and appropriate therapeutic interventions may improve this ability. Accordingly, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on emotional empathy in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with an extended pretest-posttest control group and a 45-day follow-up phase. The statistical population comprised all individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder who attended psychological counseling centers in Tehran in 2024. A total of 60 participants were selected based on the inclusion criteria using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 20 each). The first experimental group received schema therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, whereas the second experimental group underwent acceptance and commitment therapy in eleven 90-minute sessions. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Emotional empathy was assessed using the Emotional Empathy Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 23.
Results: The findings revealed significant differences between the experimental groups and the control group. Both schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy significantly increased emotional empathy in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and these effects remained stable during the follow-up phase (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Bonferroni post hoc test indicated a significant difference between schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy regarding their effects on emotional empathy (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that both schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are effective interventions for improving emotional empathy in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, therapists and counselors are encouraged to employ these therapeutic approaches to enhance emotional empathy among patients with OCD.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with an extended pretest-posttest control group and a 45-day follow-up phase. The statistical population comprised all individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder who attended psychological counseling centers in Tehran in 2024. A total of 60 participants were selected based on the inclusion criteria using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 20 each). The first experimental group received schema therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, whereas the second experimental group underwent acceptance and commitment therapy in eleven 90-minute sessions. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Emotional empathy was assessed using the Emotional Empathy Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 23.
Results: The findings revealed significant differences between the experimental groups and the control group. Both schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy significantly increased emotional empathy in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and these effects remained stable during the follow-up phase (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Bonferroni post hoc test indicated a significant difference between schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy regarding their effects on emotional empathy (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that both schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are effective interventions for improving emotional empathy in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Therefore, therapists and counselors are encouraged to employ these therapeutic approaches to enhance emotional empathy among patients with OCD.
Keywords: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Emotional Empathy, Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Public Health
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