Comparison of the effectiveness of intensive psychodynamic therapy and emotion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy based on the SPARS model on rumination and depression in infertile women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shiraz University, Iran.

3 Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.

4 Career Counseling Department, Faculty of Psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran.

5 Department of Torbat Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.89522.3263

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and rumination are prevalent among infertile women, requiring effective interventions. This study compared the effectiveness of Intensive Psychodynamic Therapy (IPT) and SPARS-based Emotion-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (EF-CBT) on rumination and depression.
 
Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 infertile women in Tehran-Iran in 2024, were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to two intervention groups and a control group (20 each). The Nolen-Hoeksema Rumination Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory were used. IPT consisted of 8 group sessions (2/week, 60 min each), while EF-CBT based on the SPARS model consisted of 12 sessions (2/week, 60 min each). The control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA, ANOVA, and t-tests.
 
Results: Significant differences were observed between the intervention groups and control in post-test scores of rumination (P= 0.000, F= 175.118) and depression (P= 0.000, F= 61.57). EF-CBT had a greater effect on rumination and depression than IPT.
 
Conclusion: Both SPARS-based EF-CBT and IPT effectively reduce rumination and depression in infertile women. Awareness and acceptance of basic emotions, cognitive restructuring, and emotional expression are key mechanisms. These interventions can be applied in infertility clinics and counseling centers.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 37-44

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