The Effectiveness of Group Schema Therapy on Self-Criticism and Distress Tolerance in Women with Substance-Dependent Spouses

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group schema therapy on self-criticism and distress tolerance in women with substance-dependent spouses. 

 The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all women with substance-dependent spouses who were trained in twelve steps in the Naranan Association of Isfahan. Of these, 30 individuals were selected by the convenience sampling method and randomly divided into an experimental group (n =15) and a control group (n =15). The participants in both groups completed criticism and distress tolerance questionnaires in the pre-and post-test. Schema therapy was performed on the experimental group in 12 sessions of 90 minutes with the frequency of one session per week. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance. 

The results showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups, and schema therapy reduced self-criticism and improved distress tolerance in women with substance-dependent spouses. 

According to the obtained results, schema therapy can be used as an effective intervention to reduce self-criticism and improve distress tolerance of women with drug-dependent spouses and can be used in relevant educational and treatment centers.