To examine the effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy on maladaptive schemas and distress tolerance in divorced women
Design
A quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group is planned. 32 divorced women aged 25-45 years were purposively selected and were to be divided into two experimental and control groups (16 people in each group).
Settings and conduct
This quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest control design will be conducted. The experimental group will receive 10 weekly 90-minute sessions of Emotional Schema Therapy, while the control group will be on a waiting list. Post-tests will be administered for both groups. The study will take place in
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion: Divorced women 25–45 years, divorced ≤5 years, willing to participate, attending sessions regularly.Exclusion: Missing >2 sessions, lack of cooperation, medication use, or psychotic symptoms.
Intervention groups
Experimental group: 10 weekly 90-minute group sessions of Emotional Schema Therapy.Control group: Waiting list; no intervention during the study; therapy offered after study completion.
Main outcome variables
Young's Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire score, Distress Tolerance Scale score
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20250819066919N1
Registration date:2025-11-11, 1404/08/20
Registration timing:retrospective
Last update:2025-11-11, 1404/08/20
Update count:0
Registration date
2025-11-11, 1404/08/20
Registrant information
Name
Neda Amiri
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email address
n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-08-19, 1404/05/28
Expected recruitment end date
2025-09-21, 1404/06/30
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on maladaptive schemas and distress tolerance in divorced women.
Public title
The effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on maladaptive schemas and distress tolerance of divorced women.
Purpose
Supportive
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Women who have separated from their husbands within the past 5 years
Minimum education level: Diploma
People with normal intelligence
Absence of chronic physical illness
Regular attendance at intervention sessions
People who were willing to participate in this research
Exclusion criteria:
Use of psychiatric medications in the past three months
Having severe psychiatric disorders, such as psychotic disorders (based on clinical interview or medical records)
Receiving other psychotherapy interventions at the same time
Age
From 25 years old to 45 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
32
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Not randomized
Randomization description
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Other
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan Branch
Street address
No. 10, Imam Khomeini Street 6
City
Nikshahr
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Approval date
2025-08-18, 1404/05/27
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.ZAH.REC.1404.057
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy on maladaptive schemas and distress tolerance in divorced women.
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Early maladaptive schema score
Timepoint
Measurements were taken before the start of the intervention (pre-test) and after the end of 10 treatment sessions (post-test).
Method of measurement
Early maladaptive schemas: Measured with Young's Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire - Short Version. A higher score indicates greater severity of the schemas.
2
Description
distress tolerance score
Timepoint
Measurements were taken before the start of the intervention (pre-test) and after the end of 10 treatment sessions (post-test).
Method of measurement
Distress tolerance: Measured with the Simmons and Gahr Distress Tolerance Scale. A higher score indicates greater distress tolerance.
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Participants will attend 10 90-minute group emotional schema therapy sessions once a week. The sessions will include training and practice in identifying and modifying early maladaptive schemas, increasing emotional awareness, accepting emotions, and improving emotion regulation strategies.
Category
Other
2
Description
Control group: Does not receive any intervention and only participates in the pre-test and post-test. After the end of the study, the same treatment as the experimental group will be provided to the members of this group.
Category
Other
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Nikshahr County Welfare Department
Full name of responsible person
Neda AMIRI
Street address
No. 10, 6th Imam Khomeini Street
City
Nikshar
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email
anedaamiiri@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Mahmoud Imani
Street address
No. 10, 6th Imam Khomeini Street
City
Nikshar
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email
n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Neda Amiri
Position
Master's student in clinical psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 10, 6th Imam Khomeini Street
City
Nikshar
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email
n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Neda Amiri
Position
Master's student in clinical psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 10, 6th Imam Khomeini Street
City
Nikshar
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email
n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Neda Amiri
Position
Master's student in clinical psychology
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
No. 10, 6th Imam Khomeini Street
City
Nikshar
Province
Sistan-va-Balouchestan
Postal code
9991613761
Phone
+98 54 3522 2755
Email
n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
Individual participant data can be shared after complete removal of identifying information.
Sharing will include general demographic variables, primary outcome, and related variables.
When the data will become available and for how long
Access start time: 6 months after publication of the main study results
To whom data/document is available
All interested researchers (whether academic or independent) can submit a request to receive the data.
The main condition is compliance with the principles of confidentiality and the presentation of a transparent research plan.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
It is permitted for non-commercial research and educational purposes only.
Use must be in accordance with the approved proposal and ethical clearance.
Re-identification of individuals and transfer of data to third parties is prohibited.
From where data/document is obtainable
First priority: Email: n.amiri8668@iau.ir
Second priority: Phone: 00989150454080
Third priority: Post: Nikshahr, Imam Khomeini Street, behind the Central Telecommunications Office
Applicants must first complete and submit the initial application form. After scientific and ethical review by the Data Committee, access to data or documentation will be provided to the applicant.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The applicant submits the data request form along with the proposal and required documents.
Scientific and ethical review is conducted by the relevant committee (4–6 weeks).
If approved, the data use agreement is signed and anonymized data is prepared (1–2 weeks).
Total time to receive data: approximately 6–8 weeks.