Effects of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Self-criticism and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
| Author | Masoumeh Ostad | en |
| Author | Fariba Hafezi | en |
| Author | Amal Sharifi Fard | en |
| Author | Marzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtari | en |
| Orcid | Masoumeh Ostad [0009-0009-5285-7130] | en |
| Orcid | Fariba Hafezi [0000-0002-8633-9632] | en |
| Orcid | Amal Sharifi Fard [0000-0003-0135-1809] | en |
| Orcid | Marzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtari [0000-0003-2394-3725] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-04-30 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive, and difficult-to-control worry, often exacerbated by difficulties concentrating and emotional distress. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) in reducing self-criticism and intolerance of uncertainty among women diagnosed with GAD at posttreatment and the 2-month follow-up. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up assessments. Thirty women diagnosed with GAD were recruited via convenience sampling from psychology clinics in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2025 and were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n = 15) or a wait-list control group (n = 15). The experimental group participated in ten weekly 90-minute group sessions based on Gilbert's CFT protocol, whereas the wait-list control group received no treatment during the study period. Outcomes were assessed using the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Compassion-focused therapy produced significant decreases in mean self-criticism and intolerance of uncertainty scores in the experimental group at posttest and 2-month follow-up (P < 0.001, with large effect sizes), whereas the wait-list control group showed no notable changes. Conclusions: Compassion-focused therapy is an effective clinical intervention for mitigating core transdiagnostic vulnerabilities—specifically self-criticism and intolerance of uncertainty—and thereby improving psychological well-being in women with GAD. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jhrt-169404 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jhrt/articles/169404 | en |
| Keyword | Compassion-focused Therapy | en |
| Keyword | Self-criticism | en |
| Keyword | Intolerance Of Uncertainty | en |
| Keyword | Generalized Anxiety Disorder | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Effects of Compassion-Focused Therapy on Self-criticism and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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