Abstract
Introduction: Divorce, as a psychosocial crisis, has severe consequences for women. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) in reducing psychological distress while enhancing social adjustment among women seeking divorce in Isfahan.
Methods: This quasi-experimental research employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population comprised women seeking divorce who had referred to counseling centers in Isfahan during 2025. Using convenience sampling and random assignment, 30 participants were selected and equally allocated to the experimental group, receiving eight 120-minute sessions of CFT, and the control group with no intervention. The research instruments included the Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale and the Bell’s Social Adjustment Scale.
Results: The results of data analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that the experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in psychological distress at posttest (P = 0.036) and follow-up (P = 0.031) and a marked increase in social adjustment at posttest (P = 0.001) and follow-up (P = 0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: CFT, through reducing self-criticism, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, and enhancing mindfulness, reduces psychological distress. Likewise, it promotes social adjustment by improving self-acceptance and emotional flexibility. The persistence of effects at the follow-up stage revealed the stability of cognitive-emotional changes. Accordingly, CFT can be considered for application in family counseling centers, therapist training, and the design of digital self-help programs.