The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Women's Sexual Satisfaction and Body Image with Drug Abuse

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on sexual satisfaction and body image in women with drug abuse.  The research method was quasi-experimental, including a pre-test, post-test design with a control group, and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population comprised all individuals with opioid abuse who referred to addiction treatment centers for women in Tehran in 2014. Using the available sampling method, 28 women at Behbud Gostarane Hamgam were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The research tools were the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) by Rosen & Heiman (2000) and the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) by Littleton, Axom & Pury (2005). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90 minutes (twice a week) of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for one month. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.  The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was effective in improving sexual satisfaction and body image in women with drug abuse, and this effect was sustained in the follow-up examination (p > 0.05).  Results provide preliminary support for the use of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to address concerns about body image and increase sexual satisfaction in women with substance abuse.