Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Therapy on Loneliness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Infertile Women

Mehdieh  Tabatabaei Mohseni; Mansooreh Sadat Ghoreishi; Fatemeh  Salehi Moghadam; Bahareh Kheirollahi; Soroush Alimardani

doi:10.61838/kman.aftj.5.4.16

Authors

Mehdieh Tabatabaei Mohseni * Master’s Degree, Family Counseling, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran [email protected]

Mansooreh Sadat Ghoreishi Doctoral student of Counseling and Guidance, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran

Fatemeh Salehi Moghadam Master of Personality Psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Bahareh Kheirollahi Master of Personality Psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Soroush Alimardani Master of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Neka Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neka, Iran

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.5.4.16

Keywords:

Self-compassion, infertility, loneliness, health-related quality of life, psychological well-being

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used, involving 30 infertile women recruited from a specialized infertility treatment center. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) receiving eight sessions of self-compassion training or a control group (n = 15) with no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a five-month follow-up using the Loneliness Questionnaire and the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

Findings: The experimental group showed significant reductions in loneliness from pre-test (M = 45.32, SD = 6.45) to post-test (M = 30.21, SD = 5.28) and follow-up (M = 31.12, SD = 5.34), while the control group remained stable. Health-related quality of life significantly improved in the experimental group from pre-test (M = 62.45, SD = 7.34) to post-test (M = 78.53, SD = 6.78) and follow-up (M = 77.95, SD = 6.65), with minimal changes in the control group. ANOVA results indicated significant time and group interactions for both loneliness (F(2, 56) = 67.03, p < .001, η² = .71) and health-related quality of life (F(2, 56) = 113.20, p < .001, η² = .80).

Conclusion: Self-compassion training is effective in reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women. These benefits were sustained at the five-month follow-up, highlighting the long-term potential of self-compassion interventions in supporting the psychological well-being of infertile women.