Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Positive Psychology Interventions on Self-Acceptance in Women with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Maedeh Mirzaei Malati; Elnaz Ahmadi Saravani; Negin Amirardehjani

Authors

Maedeh Mirzaei Malati Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2773-3402
Elnaz Ahmadi Saravani Department of Clinical Psychology, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8710-0399
Negin Amirardehjani Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9436-6926

Keywords:

Chronic Tension-Type Headache, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Positive Psychology Interventions, Self-Acceptance, Women

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and positive psychology interventions (PPI) in improving self-acceptance among women with chronic tension-type headache.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a two-month follow-up and a control group. The study population comprised women diagnosed with chronic tension-type headache in Tehran, Iran, in 2025. Sixty participants were recruited through convenience sampling and assigned to three groups: MBCT (n = 20), PPI (n = 20), and control (n = 20). Both interventions were administered in eight 120-minute sessions, conducted twice weekly, while the control group received no intervention. Self-acceptance was measured using the Beck Self-Concept Test at pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons in SPSS version 23.

Findings: Mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed statistically significant main effects of time and group and a significant time-by-group interaction on self-acceptance. Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons demonstrated significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up in both intervention groups, whereas changes in the control group were nonsignificant. Both MBCT and PPI produced significantly higher self-acceptance scores than the control condition at posttest and follow-up (p < .001). Furthermore, PPI demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness than MBCT at both posttest and follow-up assessments (p < .001), indicating a comparative advantage maintained over the two-month follow-up period.

Conclusion: Both MBCT and PPI were effective in improving self-acceptance among women with chronic tension-type headache, with PPI demonstrating superior and sustained outcomes. These findings suggest that positive psychology interventions may represent a promising psychological approach for enhancing self-acceptance in this population. Further randomized studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to establish the durability and clinical significance of these improvements.

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