Examining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Narcissism and Perfectionism in Single Women Reluctant to Marry

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on narcissism and perfectionism in single women reluctant to marry.

Materials and Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and follow-up structure and a control group. The statistical population included all female students from Azad universities in Isfahan in the academic year 2022–2023. Participants were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 30 participants were recruited using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (15 participants per group). A pretest was conducted for both groups. The experimental group then received mindfulness-based cognitive therapy across eight sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory by Ames, Rose, and Anderson (2006), the Perfectionism Questionnaire by Hill et al. (2004), and the Marital Inclination Scale by Heidari et al. (2004). Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS version 23.

Findings: The results indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly reduced narcissism and perfectionism in single women reluctant to marry, and the therapeutic effects persisted in the follow-up phase (F = 9.95, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be utilized to reduce narcissism and perfectionism in single women reluctant to marry.