Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Quality of Life and Parent-Child Relationship in Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

Background: There is a growing body of literature on the effectiveness of second and third wave psychotherapies for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive- behavior (CBT) group therapy (Borkovec model) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on quality of life and parent-child relationship in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among female participants. Methods: A semi experimental design using pre and post-test and a four-month follow up was used. The statistical population comprised of females with generalized anxiety disorder, who had at least one primary school-aged daughter in the first and third district of Tehran. The sample consisted of 36 females with GAD. Participants’ selection was based on availability and they were assigned randomly to 2 groups of CBT and MBCT. The research was conducted in the first half of 2014. The following measurement tools were used, GAD-7 questionnaire, world health o quality of life scale (WHO-QOL BREF), and Parent Child Relationship Scale (CPRS). Data were analyzed via Repeated measures analysis of variance test. Results: Although the results showed efficacy of CBT and MBCT after the intervention and during follow up (P < 0.001), there were no significant differences in quality of life and parent-child relationship between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: It could be inferred from the results that MBCT could be utilized similar to CBT as an effective treatment in adjunct to pharmacotherapy for females with GAD.