A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Distress Tolerance among Women with Anxiety Symptoms

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Introduction: Distress tolerance, as a transdiagnostic construct, plays a pivotal role in the persistence of anxiety disorders. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on distress tolerance among women with anxiety symptoms. Methods:This was a quasi-experimental study employing a pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women with anxiety symptoms referred to counseling centers in Bojnord, Iran, during 2025. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: ACT, CFT, and control (n=15 per group). The research instruments comprised the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Distress Tolerance Scale. The experimental groups each received eight 90-minute weekly sessions of ACT and CFT, respectively, while the control group received no intervention. Results: Analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant between-group differences in the distress tolerance (F=73/64, p=0/001) and all subscales (p