The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Distress Tolerance and Perceived Stress in Women with Social Anxiety Disorder
Keywords:
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, distress tolerance, perceived stress, women with social anxiety disorderAbstract
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on distress tolerance and perceived stress in women with social anxiety disorder.
Methods and Materials: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of women diagnosed with social anxiety disorder based on DSM-5 criteria in Tehran in 2024. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Data collection instruments included the Distress Tolerance Scale developed by Simmons and Gaher, the Perceived Stress Scale developed by Cohen et al., and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire developed by Connor. The experimental group participated in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy sessions for 8 consecutive weeks, with one 90-minute session per week, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software after examining assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances.
Findings: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in distress tolerance and perceived stress at the posttest stage (p < 0.01). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly increased distress tolerance and reduced perceived stress among women with social anxiety disorder. The findings demonstrated significant effects for distress tolerance (F = 72.851, p < 0.01, η² = 0.622) and perceived stress (F = 47.341, p < 0.01, η² = 0.614). Statistical power for both variables was reported as 1.00, indicating high explanatory strength of the intervention.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is an effective psychological intervention for improving distress tolerance and reducing perceived stress in women with social anxiety disorder.
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