Abstract
Background and aims: Infertility is a major life stressor that can significantly impact women's psychological well-being. One comprehensive indicator of mental health is self-concept. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on the self-concept of infertile women. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 among infertile women attending the Hazrat Zahra Infertility Center and affiliated healthcare centers in Shahrekord, Iran. A total of 90 women were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 45) and control (n = 45) groups. Prior to the intervention, all participants completed a two-part questionnaire including demographic data and the validated Rogers Self-Concept Inventory. The intervention group participated in eight 2-hour sessions of MBCT. Both groups completed the questionnaire again immediately and two months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, employing Chi-square and repeated measures ANOVA tests. Results: There were no significant differences in self-concept scores between the groups at baseline. However, the intervention group showed significantly higher self-concept scores both immediately and two months after the intervention compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Group-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy effectively improved self-concept in infertile women. These findings suggest that MBCT can serve as a cost-effective, accessible psychological intervention, potentially improving mental health outcomes and complementing conventional infertility treatments.