Hospital Practices and Research

The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy Based on Mindset on Distress Tolerance in Patients with Psychosomatic Symptoms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Elham Rahmati Roudsari
Mojgan Asadi Louyeh

Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran

10.30491/hpr.2025.556041.1523
Abstract
Background: Given the high prevalence and chronic nature of psychosomatic disorders, there is a significant need for effective and sustainable psychotherapeutic interventions.
Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the efficacy of Schema Therapy Based on Mindset (STBM) in enhancing distress tolerance among patients presenting with psychosomatic symptoms in Rasht, Ira.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial followed a pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up design included 30 female patients selected via convenience sampling and randomly allocated to the experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group received eight 2-hour sessions of the STBM protocol. Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and analyzed via Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RMANOVA) in SPSS-27.
Results: The findings confirmed a statistically significant effect of STBM on improving overall distress tolerance (P < 0.01), with therapeutic gains successfully maintained at 3-month follow-up. The intervention specifically yielded significant improvements in the tolerance, absorption, and appraisal subscales. However, the effect on the regulation subscale was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: STBM appears to be a promising intervention for modifying maladaptive cognitive-emotional patterns. This protocol is recommended as a valuable therapeutic tool for managing psychological distress and enhancing coping mechanisms in patients with psychosomatic symptoms.

Keywords

Schema Therapy
Distress Tolerance
Psychosomatic Medicine
Somatization
Regulation
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