Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy Based on Mindfulness and Life Therapy on Mental Well-Being and Psychological Security in Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common chronic anxiety disorders, and the role of psychotherapy in reducing its symptoms has been confirmed. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and life therapy on mental well-being and psychological security in women with generalized anxiety disorder.

The present study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test/post-test design and follow-up (three months) with a control group. Forty-five women with generalized anxiety disorder referred to health centers and counseling centers in areas 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Tehran in 2021 were selected by purposeful sampling method and placed in two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental groups received educational intervention in 8 sessions, but the control group did not receive any intervention. In order to collect data, Keyes and Magyar-Moe’s Mental Well-Being Questionnaires and Maslow’s Psychological Security Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was done using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.

The results indicated the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and life therapy on increasing the mental well-being and psychological security of women with generalized anxiety disorder (p<0.001), and both methods had the same effectiveness.

Considering the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and life therapy on increasing well-being and psychological security, these treatments can be used as adjuvant, supportive and rehabilitation interventions along with drug therapies to rehabilitate and improve their quality of life.