The Effectiveness of compassion-based therapy on cognitive emotion regulation, Shame and Guilt-Proneness and mindfulness components in patients with mixed anxiety- depression disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Effectiveness of compassion-based therapy on cognitive emotion regulation, shame and guilt-proneness and mindfulness components in patients with mixed anxiety- depression disorder. The present study was a semi-experimental pre-test and post-test with control group. The statistical population of the study included all patients with mixed anxiety- depression disorder in Isfahan. The sample size of the study consisted of 24 people with mixed anxiety- depression disorder, who were selected by purposeful sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups experimental and control. They were evaluated with cognitive emotional regulation strategy scales, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA) Questionnaire. The experimental group received group compassion-based therapy intervention for 2 months (8 sessions of 90 minutes) while the control group received no training at all. The results of covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the scores of cognitive emotional regulation strategy, shame-proneness and guilt-proneness and mindfulness skills in the experimental and control groups in the post-test. Experimental group, in comparison with the control group, received less scores in shame and guilt and more scores in Mindfulness skills. The results showed that group compassion-based therapy of cognitive emotion regulation strategies was effective. Based on the findings, compassion-based therapy can be used as a suitable treatment option to improve the Mindfulness skills, cognitive-emotional regulation, and preparation for the experience of shame and guilt of people with mixed anxiety- depression disorder.