Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Intervention and Self-compassion-based Intervention in Reducing Perceived Stress and Body Mass Index and Promoting Lifestyle in Obese Women

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of self-compassion-based intervention (SCBI) and mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on perceived stress, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle in obese women. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test–post-test control group design was conducted. Participants were ۶۰ Iranian-Canadian obese women (BMI≥۳۰ kg/m²) recruited from a family counseling center in Toronto, Canada, in ۲۰۲۴ using purposive sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to an MBI group (n=۲۰), an SCBI group (n=۲۰), or a control group (n=۲۰). The intervention groups received eight ۹۰-minute psychological intervention sessions, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the lifestyle questionnaire (LSQ), the perceived stress scale (PSS), and BMI measurements. Multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA and ANCOVA) were conducted, controlling for pre-test scores. A post-hoc power analysis using G*Power software, version ۳.۱ was performed to evaluate statistical power. Results: After controlling for baseline scores, both MBI and SCBI led to significant improvements in perceived stress, BMI, and overall lifestyle compared to the control group (P<۰.۰۰۱). Between-group comparisons indicated a significant difference between SCBI and MBI in reducing perceived stress, with SCBI demonstrating greater reductions (P<۰.۰۰۱). In contrast, MBI resulted in a significantly greater reduction in BMI compared to SCBI (P<۰.۰۰۱). No significant difference was observed between the two interventions in overall lifestyle improvement (P=۰.۸۷۵).  Conclusion: Both MBI and SCBI are effective psychological interventions for improving psychological and weight-related outcome (BMI) among obese women. While SCBI appears more effective for stress reduction and social health, MBI demonstrates greater effectiveness in BMI reduction and health-related behavioral domains. These findings highlight the complementary roles of mindfulness and self-compassion approaches in obesity management.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mindfulness ، Self-compassion ، lifestyle ، Stress ، Body mass index (BMI) ، Women ، Obesity