Studying the effectiveness of compassion therapy on depression, functional flexibility, self-differentiation, and perceived social support in women with depression referring to psychological counseling centers

Studying the effectiveness of compassion therapy on depression, functional flexibility, self-differentiation, and perceived social support in women with depression referring to psychological counseling centers

A controlled clinical trial with parallel groups, without blinding, randomized, on 40 patients. The rand function of Excel software will be used for randomization.

The statistical population of this study includes all female patients with depressive disorder who will refer to Amin Psychological Counseling and Services Center in Ahvaz for treatment within the specified time period for the study. In the sample selection stage, the available sampling method will be used. After selecting the samples to a volume of 40 people based on the study's entry and exit criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: "compassionate treatment" (intervention group) and "waiting list" (control group).

Inclusion criteria: Women aged 30 to 45 years, scoring between 20 and 28 on the Beck Depression Inventory, having a history of depressive disorder for a maximum of 2 years, undergoing medication for depression Exclusion criteria: Participating in other psychotherapy sessions 3 months prior to the study, unwillingness to participate in the study

Intervention group: All individuals who will receive self-compassion therapy. The sessions of this study will be designed based on the Compassion-Focused Therapy book, which is based on the Compassion-Focused Therapy Package based on Gilbert's concepts (2010), which will be conducted in 8 90-minute sessions. Control group: All individuals who will not receive any intervention.

Depression, functional flexibility, self-differentiation, and perceived social support

The statistical population of this study includes all female patients with depressive disorder who will refer to the counseling and psychological services center for treatment within the specified time period for the study. In the sample selection stage, the available sampling method will be used. In such a way that people who are definitely diagnosed with depression by experts and based on the fifth edition of the classification of mental disorders using a structured checklist will be selected. After selecting the samples to a volume of 40 people based on the study's entry and exit criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: "compassionate treatment" (intervention group) and "waiting list" (control group). Randomization will be performed using the random block method with variable sizes (4 and 6 people) by an independent statistician who is not involved in the implementation process. The random allocation list will be generated using the RAND function in Excel software and then placed in opaque, sealed, and numbered envelopes so that the researcher and participants are not aware of the allocation sequence (allocation concealment). Opening the envelope and informing the group allocation will only be done when each participant enters the study. To ensure the equality of the baseline variables (such as anxiety level, age, and length of marriage), their distribution in the two groups will be examined during the statistical analysis stage.