Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy and Schema Therapy on Self-Injurious Behaviors and Attitude Toward Life in Students with Parents Diagnosed with Cancer

Saeid  Zargaran; Hamze Akbari; Kazem  Sharatnai

Authors

Saeid Zargaran PhD Student, Department of Educational Psychology, Boj.C., Islamic Azad University, Bojnord, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2739-0132
Hamze Akbari Department of Psychology, AZ.C., Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9263-1106
Kazem Sharatnai Department of Counseling Psychology, Az.C., Islamic Azad University, Azadshahr, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9498-4829

Keywords:

mindfulness-based therapy, self-injurious behaviors, schema therapy, attitude toward life

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy and schema therapy in reducing self-injurious behaviors and improving attitude toward life among students with parents diagnosed with cancer.

Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, control group, and follow-up assessments. The statistical population consisted of all students with parents diagnosed with cancer in Sari during the 2026–2027 academic year. Using non-random purposive sampling, 45 participants were selected and assigned to three groups: Group 1, mindfulness-based therapy (n = 15); Group 2, schema therapy (n = 15); and Group 3, control group (n = 15). Participants were randomly assigned to the study groups using a lottery method, and the two intervention groups received mindfulness-based therapy and schema therapy, respectively. Data were collected using the standardized Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury developed by Klonsky and Glenn (2009) and Reker’s Life Attitude Profile (1992). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (repeated-measures analysis of variance).

Findings: The results indicated that both mindfulness-based therapy and schema therapy were effective in reducing self-injurious behaviors and improving attitude toward life among students with parents diagnosed with cancer. Significant differences were observed between the study groups.

Conclusion: Overall, mindfulness-based therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness than schema therapy across all variables examined in the study. Furthermore, the relative maintenance of changes during the follow-up phase indicated that the positive effects of both interventions were sustained over time; however, the durability of these effects was more pronounced in the mindfulness-based therapy group.

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