Evaluation the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on character empowerment, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression in women seeking divorce
Determining the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Character Strengths, Irrational Beliefs, and Self-Suppression in Women Seeking Divorce
Design
This is a randomized, single-blind clinical trial with intervention and control groups, using block randomization, with a total sample size of 45 participants.
Settings and conduct
The present study included all women seeking divorce in Ahvaz during the second half of 1404 (2025–2026). Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups using block randomization. Participants will be blinded to their group allocation, while the researchers will be aware of the group allocation.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Having an educational level higher than a high school diploma; Providing informed consent to participate in the study; Being in the process of divorce; Seeking services at family counseling centers with a serious intention to pursue divorce.
Exclusion criteria: Having a history of severe psychiatric or cognitive disorders; Receiving concurrent psychotherapy services or participating in another psychological intervention program; Having a history of participating in formal mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses or similar intervention
Intervention groups
Intervention group: Women seeking divorce who are assigned to this group will receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) through regular sessions and according to the treatment protocol. The aim of this intervention is to evaluate its effectiveness on participants’ character strengths, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression.
Control group: Women seeking divorce who are assigned to the control group will not receive mindfulness-based cognitive therapy during the intervention period
Main outcome variables
character strengths, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression.
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260827070814N1
Registration date:2026-09-22, 1405/06/31
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2026-09-22, 1405/06/31
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-09-22, 1405/06/31
Registrant information
Name
Mohammad Moradi
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3333 3333
Email address
alimousavinasab86@gmail.com
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-10-14, 1405/07/22
Expected recruitment end date
2026-12-13, 1405/09/22
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
Evaluation the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on character empowerment, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression in women seeking divorce
Public title
The effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on character empowerment, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Having an educational level higher than a high school diploma
Providing informed consent to participate in the study
Seeking services at family counseling centers with a serious intention to pursue divorce
Exclusion criteria:
Having a history of severe psychiatric or cognitive disorders
Receiving concurrent psychotherapy services
Having a history of participating in formal mindfulness-based cognitive therapy courses or similar interventions
Age
From 18 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Participant
Sample size
Target sample size:
45
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Block randomization;
Participants were assigned to the intervention and control groups using block randomization based on a randomly generated sequence of blocks with variable sizes
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Single blinded
Blinding description
In this study, the participants (women seeking divorce) are unaware of their allocation to the study groups, while the researchers are aware of the group allocation.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Other
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch
Street address
Farhang Shahr, Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
۶۱۳۴۹-۳۷۳۳۳
Approval date
2026-06-27, 1405/04/06
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1405.479
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Character empowerment, irrational beliefs, and self-suppression in women seeking divorce
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
The character strengths score on the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths developed by Peterson and Seligman (2004)
Timepoint
Measuring character strengths at the beginning of the study, prior to the mindfulness intervention and after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test)
Method of measurement
Valuse In Action Inventory of Strengths Peterson & Seligman(2004)
2
Description
The score on the Irrational Beliefs Scale developed by Motamedin and colleagues (2012)
Timepoint
Measurement of irrational beliefs at the beginning of the study and prior to the mindfulness intervention and after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test)
Method of measurement
Motamedin et al.’s (2012) Irrational Beliefs Scale
3
Description
The score on the Self-Silencing Scale developed by Jack and Dill (1991)
Timepoint
Measurement of self-silencing at the beginning of the study and prior to the mindfulness intervention and after completion of the 8 intervention sessions (post-test)
Method of measurement
Jack and Dill’s (1991) Self-Silencing Scale
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Control group: No mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention is administered in it.
Category
Behavior
2
Description
Intervention group: The mindfulness intervention will be implemented in the form of 8 educational and practice sessions and will include training and practice of core mindfulness techniques, with an emphasis on increasing attention to present-moment experiences and developing awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations while accepting them in a nonjudgmental manner. The sessions will include techniques such as focused breathing, body scan, sitting meditation, awareness of thoughts and emotions, mindfulness in daily activities, and home-based practices. The aim of the intervention is to increase awareness and acceptance of internal experiences and to reduce automatic reactions and maladaptive patterns when dealing with thoughts and emotions.
Category
Behavior
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Family Counseling Clinics
Full name of responsible person
Mohammad Moradi
Street address
Islamic Azad University, Farhangshahr, Golestan highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3493 7333
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Industry and Community Relations Office, Islamic Azad University, Farhangshahr, Golestan highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6134937333
Phone
+98 61 3332 9200
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.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
Mohammad Moradi
Position
Student, Islamic Azad University, Counseling
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Others
Street address
At the corner of Danesh 3, Laleha Boulevard
City
Baghmalek
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6395138456
Phone
+98 61 3333 3333
Fax
Email
alimousavinasab86@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Mohammad Moradi
Position
Student, Islamic Azad University, Counseling
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Others
Street address
At the corner of Danesh 3, Laleha Boulevard
City
Baghmalek
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6395138456
Phone
+98 61 3333 3333
Fax
Email
alimousavinasab86@gmail.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Mohammad Moradi
Position
Student, Islamic Azad University, Counseling
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Others
Street address
At the corner of Danesh 3, Laleha Boulevard
City
Baghmalek
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
6395138456
Phone
+98 61 3333 3333
Fax
Email
alimousavinasab86@gmail.com
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
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be 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
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
The data file is in SPSS statistical software. This file is anonymous and contains no personal information of respondents and is related to the variables examined in the study during the pretest and posttest phases in the studied groups
When the data will become available and for how long
The access period starts from Esfand 1405 and continues for 6 months after the start of the period
To whom data/document is available
Researchers employed in academic and scientific institutions
Under which criteria data/document could be used
The data can be used for comparison with data from other related studies
From where data/document is obtainable
Mohammad Moradi: 0989168389332
Alternatively, please contact or visit the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch.
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The individual may submit their request verbally or by telephone. If the researcher approves the request based on the stated conditions, the file will be sent to them within approximately one to two weeks