Comparison of Effectiveness Mindfulness and Cognitive-behavioral Therapies on Experiential Avoidance of Women with Insomnia

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Health Psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral therapy on experiential avoidance in women with insomnia. This was a quasi-experimental study pre-test, post-test, with the control and 3-months follow-up. The statistical population study included women with insomnia who referred to the counseling center of the University of Applied Sciences, Arts and Culture by recall in 2020. A sample of 63 participants were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into three group (21 people in each group). Both two experiments were under treatment individually within 8 sessions of 45-60 minutes. Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) were administered before treatment, the end of treatment sessions and after 3 months. Data were analyzed using Analysis of variance with repeated measure analysis. The results showed that both Mindfulness Therapy and Cognitive-behavioral therapy had impact on reducing experiential avoidance of women with Insomnia disorder, and both were equally effective at follow up, however the first was more effective as well as had the aspect of preventing recurrence. Therefore, these two therapies can be used either way to decrease experiential avoidance.  

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