distress tolerance

The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness training in reducing the difficulty in emotion regulation and distress tolerance of students with behavioral risks. The present research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the research consisted of all male students with risky behaviors between the ages of 14 and 18 who were referred to the counseling and psychology center in Karaj city in 2023, of which there were 30 people (15 people in the control group and 15 people in the experimental group) were selected through the purposeful sampling method and randomly replaced in two groups. To collect data, Gratz & Roemer's Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS, 2004) and Simons & Gaher's Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS, 2008) were used, and mindfulness training was carried out during 10 sessions and once a week for 60 minutes. Multivariate analysis of the covariance test was used to analyze the data. The research findings showed a significant difference of (P<0.0001) between the post-test mean of emotion regulation difficulty and distress tolerance in both experimental and control groups. As a result, emotion regulation training using techniques such as thoughts, emotions, and conscious behavior can be used as an effective approach to reduce the difficulty in emotional regulation and improve distress tolerance in adolescents with behavioral problems.

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy on distress tolerance and quality of life of cardiovascular patients. The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group with a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population of the study included all cardiovascular patients who had been referred to the Bandar-e Mahshahr Heart Hospital in the second half of 2024; 32 patients were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n=16) and control groups (n=16) after meeting the inclusion criteria. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS-15; Simons & Gaher, 2005) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL; Whoqol Group, 1998) were used to collect data. The treatment program consisted of twelve 60-minute sessions, which were held individually, one session per week, for three months for the intervention group members. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the groups between pre-test, post-test, and follow-up in distress tolerance and quality of life (p<0.05) and positive psychotherapy had a lasting effect during the follow-up period (p<0.05). Overall, it can be concluded that positive psychotherapy was an effective treatment for improving distress tolerance and quality of life in cardiovascular patients.

Providing mental health counseling and interventions for students is crucial to preventing or addressing psychological challenges in this vulnerable group and can play a significant role in supporting the university’s educational objectives. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of existential group counseling on distress tolerance and mental vitality in students. The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all male and female undergraduate students at Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University who were referred to the University Counseling Center to receive counseling services in the academic year 2023-2024. Among the interested students, 30 students were selected by available sampling 15 were randomly assigned to the experimental group, and 15 to the control group. The data collection tools in this research were Subjective Vitality Questionnaire (Ryan & Frederick, 1997) and Distress Tolerance Questionnaire (Simons & Gaher, 2005). The existential group counseling protocol was implemented in 10 sessions of 90 minutes, one session per week for the experimental group. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. The research findings showed that the post-test mean of subjective vitality and distress tolerance in the experimental and control groups had a significant difference at 0.01. As a result, existential group counseling can be used as an effective intervention to promote subjective vitality and tolerance of students’ distress.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between positive and negative perfectionism with distress tolerance in students of the university. The research method was correlational based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population (4303 people) consisted of all the students of the psychology and educational sciences faculties of Tehran, Al-Zahra, and Allameh universities in the academic year 2022-2023. 321 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and online. The research participants answered the Simons & Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005), Terry-Short Positive and Negative Perfectionism Questionnaires (1995), and Luthans Psychological Capital Questionnaires (2007). The data were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation and structural equation modeling. The finding indicated negative perfectionism had a direct and significant effect on distress tolerance and psychological capital (p < 0.001). Also, positive perfectionism had a direct and significant effect on psychological capital (p < 0.001). positive perfectionism did not have a direct and significant effect on distress tolerance (p > 0.05). Further psychological capital had a direct and significant effect on distress tolerance (p < 0.05). According to the findings, psychological capital plays a mediating role in the relationship between negative and positive psychological capital with distress tolerance (p < 0.001). So psychological capital can affect the relationship between positive and negative perfectionism distress tolerance.

This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of existential therapy and cognitive therapy based on mindfulness in coping with distress in adolescents with social anxiety disorder. The research method was semi-experimental including two experimental groups and a control group with a pre-test-post-test design and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population of this research included all female students of the second year of middle school in Torbat Jam city in the academic year of 2023. The sample of the research was 45 students with social anxiety disorder, who were divided into two experimental groups and one control group (15 people in each group). Existential therapy in 8 sessions and cognitive therapy based on mindfulness was also implemented in 8 sessions for the experimental groups and the control group did not receive any training.The research tools were Paklak's Social Anxiety Questionnaire (1997), Simmons and Gaher's Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) and Wells and Davis' Anxiety Scale (1994). The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis in SPSS software version 25. The results showed that both interventions had a significant effect on reducing anxiety and increasing distress tolerance of adolescents with social anxiety disorder. The follow-up phase was stable (P<0.05). The results of Tukey's follow-up test showed that cognitive therapy based on mindfulness had a greater effect on reducing anxiety and increasing emotional distress tolerance (0.05). Based on the findings of the research, it can be concluded that counselors and clinical psychologists can use existential therapy and cognitive therapy based on mindfulness as effective therapeutic approaches in the field of reducing anxiety and increasing distress tolerance of adolescents with Use social anxiety disorder.

The Elderly have been a major issue for experts, policymakers, and even the public in recent years. The aim of this study was to predict social adjustment in the elderly based on distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support. In recent years, the aging society has received attention in the field of global health, while some societies face it and others will face it in the not-too-distant future. One of the variables that can be effective in the social adaptation of the elderly is perceived social support. Social support plays a role as a psychosocial protective factor in relation to mental health problems. Social support is generally expressed in two ways: received social support and perceived social support. The meaning of received social support is the extent to which an elderly person enjoys obvious support, such as support from family and friends, and the meaning of perceived social support is satisfaction and having social support with positive emotions.Emotional distress, likely to be triggered by the current coronavirus situation, is another risk factor for premature death, as anxiety is known to be a predictor of all-cause death. This calls for addressing the psychological and behavioral effects, including perceived social support and emotion regulation that COVID-19 may have on social adjustment and the lives of individuals in this age group. However, little is known about emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and perceived social support and their association with social adjustment among the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, it seems necessary to discover the factors affecting social adaptation in achieving the growth of its physical, psychological, and social dimensions; therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of predicting social adjustment in the elderly based on distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support. 

The present research was of the applied type and among descriptive and correlational research. The statistical population of the present study was all the elderly in Ahvaz in the period of November 1400 to December 1400 in the age range of 57 to 74 years. Data were collected using the Bell Social Adjustment Questionnaire (1962), Simmons & Gahr (2005) Distress Tolerance, Gross & John Emotion Regulation (2003), and Social Support (Zimmet, 1988). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis). 

The results showed that there is a direct relationship between anxiety tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support with social adjustment (p <0.05). The adjusted R square value was equal to 0.416, which showed that the variables of distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support explained 41.6% of the variance of social adjustment. The value of the standardized regression coefficient for the component of emotional distress tolerance (p<0.01, β=0.281), absorption of negative emotions (p<0.05, β=0.122), subjective estimation of distress (p<0.01, β=0.184), trying to relieve distress (p<0.01, β=0.274), marketing emotions (p<0.01, β=0.255), inhibiting emotions (p<0.01, -0.321 =β), emotional social support (p<0.01, β=0.325), support from relatives (p<0.01, β=0.153) and support from others (p<0.01, β=0.223). Therefore, it was concluded that distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support can predict social adjustment. The findings of the present study indicate the importance of the variables of anxiety tolerance, emotion regulation, and perceived social support in explaining social adjustment in the elderly. 

Therefore, it is recommended to train for stress tolerance, emotion regulation, providing adequate support from family and important people in life, and developing the dimensions of adjustment in the elderly. ConclusionEmotion regulation strategies, distress tolerance, and perceived social support in the elderly can change their social adjustment capacity and thus affect their mental health. From a fundamental point of view, the research of the current research can be considered as a main factor in explaining social adaptation, and at the practical level, for more adaptation in the elderly, emotion regulation strategies, distress tolerance, and social support are considered. One of the limitations of the present study was conducted only on the elderly people of Ahvaz city. It is suggested to conduct research on a larger sample and elderly people with psychological disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

 This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on hope and distress tolerance in mothers of children with physical disabilities.

Methods and Materials: 

This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included mothers of children with physical disabilities who attended specialized schools in Tehran. A total of 24 mothers were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group participated in an 8-session MBSR program, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Hope and Distress Tolerance Questionnaires and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

 The ANOVA results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the variables of hope (F(1, 22) = 45.67, p < 0.001) and distress tolerance (F(1, 22) = 37.89, p < 0.001). The Bonferroni post-hoc test revealed that the mean scores of hope in the experimental group increased by 13.33 points from pre-test to post-test (p < 0.001) and by 12.66 points from pre-test to follow-up (p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean scores of distress tolerance in the experimental group increased by 15.44 points from pre-test to post-test (p < 0.001) and by 14.11 points from pre-test to follow-up (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in the control group.

 The findings of this study indicate that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction significantly increases hope and distress tolerance in mothers of children with physical disabilities. This program can be used as an effective method to improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of these mothers.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. From its diagnosis to treatment and potential recurrence, it significantly impacts the quality of life and life satisfaction of patients. In fact, breast cancer influences patients' lifestyles and presents numerous challenges. Unfortunately, individuals diagnosed with cancer are inevitably confronted with their own mortality. Consequently, death anxiety is evident among these patients, often resulting in an abnormal fear of death accompanied by feelings of panic and dread. Following a cancer diagnosis, women frequently experience intense psychological reactions, one of which is the sensation of being close to death. Today, death anxiety is recognized as a critical psychological factor in cancer patients. Moreover, breast cancer reduces distress tolerance in affected individuals. The psychological distress caused by cancer is a specific emotional discomfort experienced temporarily or permanently by individuals in response to particular stressors and harmful demands. Given the significance of this condition, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of meaning-centered group therapy on death attitudes and distress tolerance in women with breast cancer. In this quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with control group, 36 women with breast cancer and death anxiety were selected through convenience sampling from Sayed al-Shohada Hospital and the Ala Cancer Prevention and Control Center in Isfahan during 2020–2021. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (18 participants) and a control group (18 participants). The experimental group underwent eight weekly 90-minute sessions of meaning-centered group therapy. Data were collected using the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (1970), Wong et al.'s Death Attitudes Profile (1994), and the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) at three stages: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS-23 software.  The results indicated that meaning-centered group therapy significantly improved death attitudes and distress tolerance in the experimental group (P < 0.01). It appears that meaning-centered group therapy positively impacts death attitudes and distress tolerance in women with breast cancer. In Meaning-Centered Therapy, by revisiting the definition of suffering and hardship, individuals are encouraged to seek life-affirming meaning when facing life’s difficulties and challenges, enabling them to cope with these hardships in a constructive manner. If a person successfully finds meaning in the bitter and discouraging events of life, they will be able to endure its adversities. Meaning-Centered Therapy emphasizes the freedom of the human spirit, asserting that individuals are not governed by deterministic laws. Humans have the right to choose their attitude toward any given situation. Decision-making is left to the individual, and no external factor has the power to dictate how one thinks or behaves in the face of unchangeable circumstances. Individuals are always responsible for their actions and words. Consequently, the perspective one adopts toward issues and difficulties is of paramount importance in this therapeutic approach. Meaning-Centered Therapy aims to foster a meaning-oriented outlook in individuals when confronted with hardships. Therefore, it is evident that Meaning-Centered Therapy can influence an individual’s attitude toward difficulties and challenges, enhancing their capacity to tolerate distress. Therefore, it is recommended to use meaning-centered therapy to support women with breast cancer experiencing death anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Rogers' client-centered therapy on self-image and distress tolerance of women with depressive symptoms. The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group, and the statistical population of the research was all the women workers of a sewing company located in Yazd Industrial Town in 1401, and 30 of them were selected using the available sampling method and were randomly placed in two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. The measurement tools of this research were Rogers's RSS self-concept Questionnaire (1957) and DTS distress tolerance (Simmons and Gaher, 2005). Rogers' client-centered treatment was implemented for the experimental group during 8 sessions of 90 minutes. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. The results showed that by controlling the Effect of the pre-test, there is a significant difference (P<0.05) between the post-test of the control and experimental groups in self-concept and distress tolerance. Therefore, it can be concluded that Rogers' client-centered treatment is one of the Effective methods in improving self-concept and bearing the distress of women with Depressive symptoms.

This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of forgiveness therapy on distress tolerance and perceived stress of mothers with visually impaired children. The current research was conducted with a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The total number of the statistical population was 90 people, 20 of the mothers were selected by convenience sampling method from schools for the blind in Isfahan city and were randomly replaced in a control group and an experimental group of 10 people. The experimental group participated in the forgiveness therapy program during 12 sessions of 60 minutes once a week, and the control group did not participate in this program. Research tools include the Perceived Stress Scale of Cohen, et al. and Distress Tolerance Scale of Simons & Gaher. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance. Findings showed that forgiveness therapy had a positive and significant effect on perceived stress and distress tolerance of participants. It is suggested that psychologists use forgiveness therapy as an effective intervention to improve the distress tolerance and perceived stress of parents with visually impaired children.

This research was conducted with the aim of effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness on post-traumatic stress, distress tolerance and dysfunctional attitudes of mothers of children with cancer. The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and control group. The statistical population of mothers with a child with cancer was in Dr. Sheikh Hospital in Mashhad in 2019, 30 of them were selected by purposeful sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). Research tools were PTSD questionnaires (Withers et al., 1993), distress tolerance (Simmons and Gaher, 2005) and dysfunctional attitudes (Weizman and Beck, 1978). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention (Siegel et al., 2000). Research data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance test. The results indicated the effect of mindfulness on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, distress tolerance and dysfunctional attitudes of mothers with children with cancer. According to the results of this research, cognitive therapy based on mindfulness can be used to improve the psychological problems of mothers of children with cancer.

It seems that considering the role of emotions in distress tolerance and cognitive flexibility as two important dimensions of social anxiety disorder, which is one of the most debilitating anxiety disorders, using treatments that target emotions can be helpful.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on cognitive flexibility and distress tolerance married women with social anxiety disorder.

The research method was a semi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a 45-day follow-up strage by control group. The study population included all married women with social anxiety disorder referred to psychological counseling centers in the 18th district of Tehran in 2023 which among those 34 cases were selected through available sampling and according to the inclusion criteria and they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The Experimental group received emotion-focused therapy (Johnsano, 2008) sessions for nine 90-minutes sessions. All participants were assessed by the questionnaires of cognitive flexibility Inventory (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010) and distress tolerance (Simons & Gaher, 2005). Data were analyzed by SPSS-24 software and MANOVA with repeated measure test.

The results indicated the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on improving cognitive flexibility and distress tolerance (p< 0.01) and maintaining its effectiveness in the follow-up stage (p< 0.01).

Considering to the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy it is suggested to focus on this therapy as one of the auxiliary, supportive and rehabilitation therapy along with drug treatment in reducing the consequences of difficulties in distress tolerance and cognitive flexibility.

Obsessive symptoms, low distress tolerance, and heightened guilt represent prevalent characteristics within the clinical demographic of individuals suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These features contribute significantly to the chronicity of this disorder, complicating the treatment trajectory and prolonging the therapeutic process. Consequently, the imperative to identify an appropriate treatment for OCD becomes more pronounced. The chronic nature of this condition inflicts substantial damage on various facets of life, including relationships, performance, work, and overall quality of life.

This study aimed to scrutinize the efficacy of schema mode therapy in ameliorating obsession symptoms, bolstering distress tolerance, and alleviating guilt among individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The present research employed a single case study utilizing an ABA design. The statistical population encompassed all patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) attending psychological centers in Ahvaz city. The sampling method adopted for this study was Purposive, specifically selecting four individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder as the research sample. To assess and measure the participants, structured interviews based on DSM-5-TR criteria were conducted, along with employing the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Scale (Goodman et al., 1989), the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons & Gaher, 2005), and the Guilt Scale (Kugler & Jones, 1992). The therapeutic intervention utilized in this study adhered to the schema mode therapy protocol as outlined by Ferrell et al. (2014). For data analysis, visual chart, percentage of non-overlapping data, recovery percentage and reliable change index were used.

The research findings revealed that schema mode therapy exhibited effectiveness in reducing symptoms of obsession, enhancing distress tolerance, and alleviating guilt among the subjects during both the intervention and follow-up stages. Furthermore, the reliability index value was statistically significant for all measured parameters (p< 0.05). Additionally, the percentage of recovery during the follow-up phase fell within the spectrum denoting treatment success, signifying the sustained efficacy and stability of this therapeutic intervention.

Given the obsession and chronic obsession, the necessity of an effective and sustainable treatment is important for these patients. Also, according to the results of the present study and the effectiveness of schema mode therapy on the symptoms of obsession, distress tolerance and guilt in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the use of specific interventions and intervention techniques based on schema mentalities is suggested as a main and complementary method along with other main treatment techniques and concepts.