Effectiveness of Spirituality-based Schema Therapy on Worry, Quality of Life, and Mental Well-being of Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Background: Chronic generalized anxiety disorder is challenging to manage and often presents itself with a variety of psychological and physical symptoms. Objectives: This study aimed to explore how spirituality-based schema therapy impacts worry, quality of life, and mental well-being in women dealing with generalized anxiety disorder. Methods: This study was carried out with a semi-experimental design, consisting of a pre-test, post-test, and a follow-up period of three months. The statistical population for this study was women with generalized anxiety disorder who referred to psychology and counseling clinics in Tehran, Iran, between July and November 2023. This study involved 26 participants who were selected through purposive sampling. The intervention group participated in ten 90-minute sessions twice a week, whereas the control group did not undergo any interventions. The used assessment tools were the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale, Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scales, and the State Worry Questionnaire. Statistical analysis of data was conducted using repeated measure ANOVA and MANCOVA tests in SPSS software (version 27).  Results: Based on the findings, self-acceptance, relationship with others, and autonomy underwent significant changes at the post-test and follow-up stages, compared to the pre-test stage (P<0.05). However, a significant contrast was noted in the psychological health component between the pre-test and the follow-up stages (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, spirituality-based schema therapy had a notable impact on the decrease of anxiety and improvement of mental well-being in women with disorders, as well as enhancement of self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, and autonomy in the short run.

Effectiveness of Spirituality-based Schema Therapy on Worry, Quality of Life, and Mental Well-being of Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Keywords:

Generalized anxiety disorder , Quality of Life , Mental well-being , Spirituality-based schema therapy , Worry