The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Metacognitive Beliefs and Positive and Negative Emotional Dimensions in Married Women with Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of schema therapy on metacognitive beliefs and positive and negative emotional dimensions in married women with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest control-group design. Participants were 30 married women aged 25–45 years with obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Isfahan, Iran, selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received ten 90-minute schema therapy sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Emotional Dimensions Questionnaire, and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.

Findings: Schema therapy significantly improved total metacognitive beliefs (F = 83.026, p < 0.001, η² = 0.735), positive emotional dimensions (F = 62.096, p < 0.001, η² = 0.618), and negative emotional dimensions (F = 67.798, p < 0.001, η² = 0.729). Significant effects were also found for positive beliefs about worry (F = 22.727, p < 0.001, η² = 0.601), negative metacognitive beliefs about thoughts (F = 36.708, p < 0.001, η² = 0.714), anger (F = 29.447, p = 0.001, η² = 0.602), shame (F = 17.899, p = 0.001, η² = 0.521), compassion (F = 26.920, p = 0.001, η² = 0.587), and interest (F = 41.743, p = 0.001, η² = 0.672).

Conclusion: Schema therapy improved maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and emotional functioning in married women with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.