Comparison of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Relational Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Fear of Intimacy in Female Students

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapy on relational obsessive-compulsive disorder and fear of intimacy in female students.

Methods and Materials: This research was an applied study and utilized a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments, including two experimental groups and one control group, with a follow-up period of two months. The statistical population comprised all female students who visited a private counseling center in Tehran in 2023. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. Data collection tools included the Fear of Intimacy Scale (Descutner & Thelen, 1991) and the Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Questionnaire (Doron et al., 2012). For statistical analysis, SPSS-26 software was employed, utilizing repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test.

Findings: The findings indicated a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores for both approaches in reducing fear of intimacy and relational obsessive-compulsive disorder (p < .01), demonstrating the significant effectiveness of these two therapeutic methods. Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between post-test and follow-up scores (p > .05). Analysis using the Bonferroni test revealed that there was no significant difference in the effectiveness between the two therapies on problem-solving components (p > .05).

Conclusion: Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Therapy can be utilized to reduce fear of intimacy and relational obsessive-compulsive disorder in female students, with no significant difference in their effectiveness.