Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Therapy and Paradoxical Timetable Cure on Self-critical Rumination in Married Women with High Anxiety

Background and Objective: High anxiety in married women is a significant mental health concern that can negatively affect emotional functioning and marital relationships. Self-critical rumination plays an important role in maintaining anxiety. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and paradoxical timetable cure (PTC) in reducing self-critical rumination among married women with high anxiety. Methods: This study was quasi-experimental, using a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up period. The study population consisted of married women presenting with anxiety symptoms who were referred to counseling and psychological service centers in Ahvaz, Iran, in ۲۰۲۵. From this population, ۷۵ people were selected using a purposive sampling method based on the inclusion criteria and randomly assigned to two intervention groups (n = ۵۰) and one control group (n = ۲۵). The instruments used in this study were the Self-critical Rumination Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Each emotion-focused therapy and paradox therapy intervention was implemented in nine ۹۰-minute sessions. Results: The findings showed that EFT (P = ۰.۰۱) and PTC (P = ۰.۰۱) reduced self-critical rumination compared to the control group from baseline to follow-up. However, no significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups (P = ۱.۰۰). Conclusion: Both EFT and PTC effectively reduced self-critical rumination, with maintained effects over time, and showed no significant difference between them, suggesting equal efficacy. Clinicians can choose either approach based on client needs, and training in both methods is recommended to enhance treatment flexibility.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anxiety ، Rumination ، Paradoxical therapy ، Psychotherapy