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The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Cognition Disorders and Sense of Coherence in Elderly Women
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Mitra Mazinani   , Kobra Kazemian Moghadam * , Masoud Shahbazi |
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Abstract: (140 Views) |
Introduction: With the growing elderly population, attention to their mental health has become increasingly critical. Irrational beliefs and diminished psychological coherence can significantly impair the quality of life among older women. Given the established efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a contemporary psychotherapeutic approach, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of schema therapy on irrational beliefs and psychological coherence in elderly women.
Methods: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and follow-up assessments. The statistical population consisted of all elderly women above 60 years of age in Sabzevar city during 2023. Based on the research objectives, a sample of 30 participants was selected through purposive sampling according to inclusion/exclusion criteria and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (schema therapy) or control group. Measurement instruments included Ahvaz Irrational Beliefs Scale (Motamedin et al., 2011), Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (Antonovsky, 1993). The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of 90-minute schema therapy based on Leahy's (2002) model, while the control group received no intervention during this period.
Results: The results of the mixed ANOVA with repeated measures and the Bonferroni post hoc test showed that schema therapy was effective in reducing irrational beliefs with an effect size of 24% (η² = 0.24) and enhancing psychological coherence with an effect size of 32% (η² = 0.32) in the post-test phase (p < 0.05). These results maintained an effectiveness persistence of over 95% (η² > 0.95) through the follow-up stage.
Conclusion: Schema therapy, by enhancing skills related to the primary information processing system and fostering a sense of self-worth, not only optimizes irrational beliefs in elderly women but also improves their psychological coherence through the development of cognitive-emotional behaviors based on maladaptive experiences. These findings highlight the key role of mindfulness-based and value-oriented interventions in enhancing the psychological well-being of the elderly population and emphasize the necessity of incorporating such approaches into their psychosocial care programs. |
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| Keywords: Schema therapy, Cognition Disorders, Sense of Coherence, Women |
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Type of Study: Original research |
Subject:
Eldely mental and psychological issues
Received: 2025/07/24 | Accepted: 2025/10/10 | Published: 2025/10/10
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