Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Counseling, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil university of Medical sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
4 Department of Psychology, Faculty of human Sciences, University of Islamiazad, Ardabil unit, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract
Background and Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Existential Therapy on self-compassion and distress tolerance in women with breast cancer.
Methoh: This applied research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and control group. The statistical population consisted of all women with breast cancer who referred to cancer patient associations and health centers in Ardabil city during 2025. Fifty-one women were selected through a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: ACT, Existential Therapy, and control (17 participants in each group). Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003) and the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons & Gaher, 2005). The experimental groups received eight 90-minute therapeutic intervention sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Bonferroni post hoc tests were applied for pairwise group comparisons.
Finhinhs: The results indicated that both therapeutic approaches were effective in enhancing self-compassion and distress tolerance, but Existential Therapy had a greater effect on both variables compared to ACT.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that utilizing acceptance- and meaning-based therapies can play an effective role in promoting the psychological adaptation of women with breast cancer.
Keywords
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Existential Therapy
- Self-Compassion
- Distress Tolerance
- Breast Cancer
Main Subjects
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