Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Obesity
Shahid Sadoughi University Of Medical Sciences
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
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Volume 18, Issue 1 (2-2026)
IJDO 2026, 18(1): 53-67 |
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Momeni F, Bavi S, Sevari K, Eftekhar Saadi Z, Khalafi A. Compassion-Focused Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa in Women: Effects
on Rumination and Early Maladaptive Schemas. IJDO 2026; 18 (1) :53-67
URL: http://ijdo.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1017-en.html
URL: http://ijdo.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1017-en.html
Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract: (38 Views)
Objective: Bulimia nervosa is frequently associated with elevated rumination and early maladaptive schemas. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) in reducing rumination and early maladaptive schemas among women with bulimia nervosa.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest control group design. Fifty women with a confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis of bulimia nervosa were recruited via convenience sampling from the Ahvaz Eating Disorders Association and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n= 25) receiving compassion-focused therapy (8 sessions, 90 minutes each) or a no-intervention control group (n= 25). Rumination was assessed using the Rumination Response Scale (RRS), and early maladaptive schemas were measured with the 75-item Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire-Short Form. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-25.
Results: After controlling for pretest scores, women who received CFT showed significantly greater reductions in both rumination (P< 0.001) and early maladaptive schemas (P< 0.001) compared to the control group. Large effect sizes were observed for both outcomes (η²> 0.70).
Conclusion: CFT is an effective intervention for reducing rumination and early maladaptive schemas in women with bulimia nervosa. These findings support the clinical utility of CFT in targeting core cognitive-emotional maintenance factors in this population and suggest that it may be a valuable treatment option for bulimia nervosa.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest control group design. Fifty women with a confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis of bulimia nervosa were recruited via convenience sampling from the Ahvaz Eating Disorders Association and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n= 25) receiving compassion-focused therapy (8 sessions, 90 minutes each) or a no-intervention control group (n= 25). Rumination was assessed using the Rumination Response Scale (RRS), and early maladaptive schemas were measured with the 75-item Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire-Short Form. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-25.
Results: After controlling for pretest scores, women who received CFT showed significantly greater reductions in both rumination (P< 0.001) and early maladaptive schemas (P< 0.001) compared to the control group. Large effect sizes were observed for both outcomes (η²> 0.70).
Conclusion: CFT is an effective intervention for reducing rumination and early maladaptive schemas in women with bulimia nervosa. These findings support the clinical utility of CFT in targeting core cognitive-emotional maintenance factors in this population and suggest that it may be a valuable treatment option for bulimia nervosa.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/02/12 | Accepted: 2025/09/20 | Published: 2026/02/21
Received: 2025/02/12 | Accepted: 2025/09/20 | Published: 2026/02/21
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