Taḥqīqāt-i ̒Ulūm-i Raftārī (Dec 2016)
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Applied Relaxation Training on Temperament and Character Dimensions of Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Abstract
Aim and Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based applied relaxation training on temperament and character dimensions of women with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods and Materials: This experimental study was performed with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The subjects were 40 women with GAD and they were randomly placed in experimental and control groups. The participants of both groups responded to the Generalized Anxiety Disorders Questionnaire 4 th Edition (GAD-Q-IV), 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) before the intervention, and after and 3 months after the intervention. The experimental group received 16 sessions of training. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Findings: The results showed significance differences between the two groups in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up scores of harm avoidance (F = 7.14, P < 0.050) and self-directiveness (F = 26.92, P < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in pretest, posttest, and follow-up scores of novelty seeking, reward dependence, persistence, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence between the groups. Conclusions: The results showed that mindfulness-based applied relaxation training was associated with increased self-directiveness, and decreased harm avoidance after psychotherapy in post-test and follow-up phase. Therefore, mindfulness-based applied relaxation training is effective in reducing symptoms of GAD and changing temperament and character dimensions.
