Emotion Efficacy Therapy for Affect Balance, Impulsive Behaviors, and Negative Automatic Thoughts in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
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Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Emotion Efficacy Therapy on affect balance, impulsive behaviors, and negative automatic thoughts in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest control-group design with a two-month follow-up. Participants were 30 single women aged 20–40 years with premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Isfahan, Iran, during 2024–2025. They were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions of Emotion Efficacy Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool, DSM-5-based diagnostic interview, Affect Balance Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS-27.
Findings: Emotion Efficacy Therapy significantly reduced negative automatic thoughts (time × group: F = 100.624, p < 0.001, η² = 0.782) and impulsive behaviors (F = 105.476, p < 0.001, η² = 0.790), and significantly improved affect balance (F = 116.662, p < 0.001, η² = 0.806). Positive affect increased significantly (F = 75.190, p < 0.001, η² = 0.729), while negative affect decreased significantly (F = 39.528, p < 0.001, η² = 0.585). Effects remained stable at follow-up.
Conclusion: Emotion Efficacy Therapy improved emotional balance and reduced impulsivity and negative automatic thoughts in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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