Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Perceived Social Support and Resilience in Individuals with Morbid Obesity
Keywords:
resilience, morbid obesity, perceived social support, mindfulness-based cognitive therapyAbstract
The objective of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on perceived social support and resilience in individuals with morbid obesity. The research employed a quasi-experimental method with a pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of individuals with morbid obesity (BMI above 40) residing in District 8 of Tehran in 2025, from which 30 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants in each group). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was administered to the experimental group in eight sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (Connor & Davidson, 2003). The mindfulness-based cognitive therapy protocol was delivered in eight weekly group sessions of 90 minutes each. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance. The findings indicated that, after controlling for the pretest effect, there was a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level between the experimental and control groups in posttest scores of perceived social support and resilience. Therefore, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be considered an effective intervention for individuals with morbid obesity.
Downloads
References
Aoun, A., Ghoussoub, C., Farsoun, C., Al Mallah, A., Ayoub, F., Trezia, N., & Abi Karam, S. (2025). Examining the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in treating obesity, obesity-related eating disorders, and diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 44(4), 292-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/27697061.2024.2428290
Caynak, S., Göktaş, A., & Şimşek Arslan, B. (2025). The Relationship Between Mindfulness-Based Self-Efficacy and Happiness Level in Individuals Planned for Bariatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care. https://doi.org/10.1089/bari.2024.0014
Connor, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Connor‐Davidson resilience scale (CD‐RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18(2), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.10113
Garagoun, S. N., Mousavi, S. M., Shabahang, R., & Bagheri, F. (2021). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on resilience and life expectancy of gastrointestinal cancers patients. Iranian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing (IJPN) Original Article, 9(2). http://ijpn.ir/article-1-1759-fa.pdf
Henriques, J., Afreixo, V., Unterrainer, H., & Senra, H. (2025). Psychological mediators of the association between obesity and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Neuropsychobiology, 84(1), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.1159/000542767
Hosseini Taqdehi, L. (2022). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Resilience and Perceived Social Support in Female Head of Households. Women and Family Studies, 15(57), 153-168. https://journals.iau.ir/article_689382.html
Hruby, A., & Hu, F. B. (2021). The epidemiology of obesity: A big picture. Pharmacoeconomics, 33(7), 673-689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-014-0243-x
Jain, M. A., & Singh, D. C. (2018). Resilience and quality of life in caregivers of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. Global Journal of Human Social Science Research, 14(5), 24-28. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dweep-Singh/publication/321061095_Resilience_and_Quality_of_Life_in_Caregivers_of_Schizophrenia_and_Bipolar_Disorder_Patients_Resilience_and_Quality_of_Life_in_Caregivers_of_Schizophrenia_and_Bipolar_Disorder_Patients/links/5a0b238ca6fdccc69eda0431/Resilience-and-Quality-of-Life-in-Caregivers-of-Schizophrenia-and-Bipolar-Disorder-Patients-Resilience-and-Quality-of-Life-in-Caregivers-of-Schizophrenia-and-Bipolar-Disorder-Patients.pdf
Keng, S. L., Tan, Y. Z., & Eisenlohr-Moul, T. (2023). Mindfulness and social connectedness: A meta-analytic review. Clinical psychology review, 99, 102-135. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324313324_Mindfulness_and_connectedness_to_nature_A_meta-analytic_investigation
Khaloui, Q., Al Yasin, S. A., Heydari, H., & Davoodi, H. (2021). Comparing the Effectiveness of Hope Therapy-Based Educational Intervention and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Perceived Social Support in Women with Multiple Sclerosis. Journal of the Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 64(2), 2847-2864. https://doi.org/10.61186/jea.10.19.93
Kheyani, M., Taghavi, D., Rajabi, A., & Amirpour, B. (2014). Internal Consistency and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale in Nursing Female Students. Iranian Journal of Medical Education, 14(10), 851-859. https://ijme.mui.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2685-1&slc_lang=fa&sid=1
Kojić, M., Rakić, S., Silva, J. W. L. D., & Araujo, F. H. A. D. (2025). Sectoral Efficiency and Resilience: A Multifaceted Analysis of S&P Global BMI Indices Under Global Crises. Mathematics, 13(4), 641. https://doi.org/10.3390/math13040641
Mousavi Zadeh Gavarshaki, S. Z., & Fooladi, A. (2023). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Resilience and Perceived Social Support in Students.
Naseri Far, M., Saraj Khorrami, N., Soferzadeh, S., & Heydari, A. R. (2024). Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Body Image Satisfaction in Women with Obesity. Psychological Growth, 13(7), 111-120. https://frooyesh.ir/article-1-5214-fa.html
Nemativnashi, R., Rahmanian, M., Kordmirza Nikoozadeh, A. E., Rafei Pour, A., & Abdollahzadeh, H. (2025). The Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Improving Emotional Eating and Body Image in Overweight Women with Body Dysmorphic Symptoms. Quarterly Journal of Experimental and Cognitive Psychology, 1-16. https://quarterlyecp.com/index.php/ecp/article/view/280
Noroozi, F., Ghorbanshiroudi, S., & Khalaji, A. R. (2021). Examining the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Self-Regulation and Body Image Flexibility in Patients with Obesity. Psychological Growth, 10(7), 77-86. https://frooyesh.ir/browse.php?a_id=2415&sid=1&slc_lang=fa
O'Connor, M., Stapleton, A., O'Reilly, G., Murphy, E., Connaughton, L., Hoctor, E., & McHugh, L. (2023). The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in promoting resilience: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 28, 215-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.03.005
Rachmad, Y. E. (2022). Resilience to Change Theory. Valladolid Castillos Publicaciones Internacionales Edición Especial. https://www.academia.edu/download/119371993/BOOK_2022_085_NEW.pdf
Rathore, M., Verma, M., Nirwan, M., Trivedi, S., & Pai, V. (2022). Functional connectivity of prefrontal cortex in various meditation techniques-a mini-review. International Journal of Yoga, 15(3), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_88_22
Rogers, J. M., Ferrari, M., Mosely, K., Lang, C. P., & Brennan, L. (2017). Mindfulness‐based interventions for adults who are overweight or obese: a meta‐analysis of physical and psychological health outcomes. Obesity Reviews, 18(1), 51-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12461
Rostami, R., Shah Mohammadi, K., Qaeidi, G. H., Basharat, M. A., Akbari Zardkhaneh, S., & Nasrat Abadi, M. (2010). The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, and Perceived Social Support Among Students of the University of Tehran. Daily Internal Medicine, 16(3), 46-54. https://imtj.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-964-fa.html
Salimi, A., Jokar, B., Jokar, B., & Nikpour, R. (2009). Internet Communications in Life: Examining the Role of Perceived Social Support and Feelings of Loneliness in Internet Use. Psychological studies, 5(3), 81-102. https://psychstudies.alzahra.ac.ir/?_action=articleInfo&article=1607
Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., & Teasdale, J. D. (2002). Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New-York: Guilford Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-05895-000
Southwick, S. M., Bonanno, G. A., Masten, A. S., Panter-Brick, C., & Yehuda, R. (2014). Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: interdisciplinary perspectives. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 5(1), 25338. https://doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v5.25338
Walker, B. (2020). Resilience: what it is and is not. Ecology and Society, 25(2), 11. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11647-250211
Wang, J., Mann, F., Lloyd-Evans, B., Ma, R., & Johnson, S. (2018). Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems: a systematic review. BMC psychiatry, 18(1), 156. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1736-5
Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 52(1), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2

