Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences

The effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on self-criticism and intolerance of ambiguity in betrayed women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Sepideh Haddadi 1
Ghodratollah Abbasi 2
Bahram Mirzaian 3
1 PhD Student, Department of Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
2 Associated Professor, Department of Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.(Corresponding author)
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
10.22038/mjms.2024.25141
Abstract
Introduction: Marital infidelity as one of the most common causes of divorce has created many problems in the society. Betrayed women often experience a deep sense of hurt, infidelity and emotional distress, the consequences of which are self-criticism and intolerance of ambiguity. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on self-criticism and intolerance of ambiguity in women who have experienced betrayal.
Methods: The current research was a semi-experimental type of pretest-post-test with control and follow-up groups. The statistical population of this research included all the betrayed women who referred to the counseling centers in Tehran. Among them 32 people were selected by purposive sampling and were assigned in two experimental and control groups. The participants completed the questionnaires of self-criticism and intolerance of ambiguity in three times: pre-test, post-test and follow-up. the experimental group received 8 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The research data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results:  The findings showed that acceptance and commitment therapy is effective on self-criticism and intolerance of ambiguity in betrayed women (p<0.05). Also, the findings showed that acceptance and commitment therapy had the greatest impact on reducing self-criticism of betrayed women.
Conclusion: According to the results of the research, it is possible to improve the self-criticism and intolerance of the ambiguity of cheating women by using acceptance and commitment therapy.
Keywords
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Self-criticism
Intolerance of Ambiguity
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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 67, Issue 2
March and April 2024
Pages 691-701