The effectiveness of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on sexual self-concept, separation anxiety, and internalized shame in married women with body dysmorphic disorder in Ahvaz County
The general aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of rational-emotive behavior therapy on sexual self-concept, separation anxiety, and internalized shame in married women with body dysmorphic disorder in Ahvaz County.
Design
A randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel groups and no blinding was conducted on 30 married women with body dysmorphic disorder. Randomization was performed using a random number table, and a total sample of 30 participants (15 in each group) was included in the study.
Settings and conduct
This study will be conducted in Ahvaz County among married women with body dysmorphic disorder who meet the inclusion criteria. The participants will be identified through counseling and psychology centers in Ahvaz County. After selecting 30 volunteers, they will be randomly assigned to two groups of 15 participants each, an experimental group and a control group. Given the nature of the intervention, blinding will not be implemented in this study. The experimental group will receive rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and the control group will remain on a waiting list.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: obtaining a score above 93 (cutoff point) on the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire by Rabiei et al. (2011), having at least basic reading and writing literacy, absence of substance use disorder or a major psychiatric disorder, and providing informed consent. Exclusion criteria: withdrawal from the study, and the occurrence or severe relapse of a physical or mental illness during the study.
Intervention groups
The experimental group will receive the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention, while the control group will not receive any intervention.
Main outcome variables
The level of separation anxiety in the women under study
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20200722048168N9
Registration date:2026-07-13, 1405/04/22
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-07-13, 1405/04/22
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-07-13, 1405/04/22
Registrant information
Name
Amir Amiri
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3334 2454
Email address
khazan1381@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-07-20, 1405/04/29
Expected recruitment end date
2026-08-05, 1405/05/14
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on sexual self-concept, separation anxiety, and internalized shame in married women with body dysmorphic disorder in Ahvaz County
Public title
The effectiveness of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on sexual self-concept, separation anxiety, and internalized shame in married women with body dysmorphic disorder
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Scoring higher than 93 (cutoff score) on the Rabiei et al. (2011) body dysmorphic disorder questionnaire
Exclusion criteria:
Participant’s unwillingness to continue cooperation in the field research process
Age
No age limit
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. First, a list of eligible participants will be prepared and a numerical code will be assigned to each participant. Then, using a random number table, a random allocation sequence for the two groups will be generated.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz Branch
The separation anxiety score from the standard Separation Anxiety Questionnaire by Manicavasagar et al. (2003)
Timepoint
Before and after implementing the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention
Method of measurement
The 27-item standard Separation Anxiety Questionnaire by Manicavasagar et al. (2003)
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
The sexual self-concept
Timepoint
Before and after implementing the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention
Method of measurement
The 100-item Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire by Snell (1995)
2
Description
The internalized shame
Timepoint
Before and after implementing the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention
Method of measurement
The 24-item Internalized Shame Scale by Cook (1989)
Intervention groups
1
Description
The intervention group: will receive group psychotherapy based on rational-emotive behavior therapy using the Ellis and Dryden (1997; translated by Firouzbakht, 2018) protocol in six 100-minute sessions, one session per week.
Category
Rehabilitation
2
Description
The control group: will not receive any intervention.
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
Compliance with ethical research standards and ensuring participant data confidentiality.
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
As a Master’s thesis
When the data will become available and for how long
From 2026/09/23 onwards
To whom data/document is available
Other contributors
Under which criteria data/document could be used
To advance scientific knowledge and address existing research gaps
From where data/document is obtainable
Thesis Office, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
Referring to the Vice Presidency for Research of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch to obtain the relevant permit, followed by referring to the Thesis Office
Comments
Overall, this study is a thesis conducted to obtain a Master’s degree, and its results will be published and made available in the form of a thesis.