Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Life Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Attitudes Towards Eating in Women with Obesity

Abstract

Currently, obesity is considered a major health threat in developed countries. Various approaches have historically provided different solutions for individuals with obesity. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and Life Therapy on emotion regulation and eating attitudes in women with obesity. The present research was a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test with a control group and follow-up period. The sample consisted of 45 women with obesity who sought treatment at the Omid Clinic of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital. They were selected through purposive non-random sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups (schema therapy and Life Therapy) and one control group. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) by Garnefski et al. (2002) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT) by Garner and Garfinkel (1979) were employed. Each experimental group underwent eight 90-minute sessions of either schema therapy or Life Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that both schema therapy and Life Therapy significantly affect emotion regulation and eating attitudes (p < 0.05). Moreover, Life Therapy was found to be more effective than schema therapy in improving emotion regulation and eating attitudes (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that both schema therapy and Life Therapy are effective in improving emotion regulation and attitudes towards eating in women with obesity, with Life Therapy being more effective. Thus, these approaches can be utilized alongside medical interventions and care in treatment centers.