Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

The effectiveness of schema mode therapy on emotional maturity, ambiguity tolerance, and ego strength in students experiencing romantic relationship breakups: A pilot study in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Anita Najafi Chenari 1
Zinat Sadat Mirpour 2
Tahereh Hamzehpour Haghighi 3
Kosar Shafiei Rezvani Nejad 4
1 MA, Department of Psychology, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
2 Ph.D. in counseling, Department of Psychology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
3 Assistant professor and head of psychology, Department of Psychology, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran.
4 MA, Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran.
10.22038/jfmh.2025.86057.3217
Abstract
Introduction: Love is one of the most astonishing experiences, and the end of a romantic relationship can be highly distressing. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema mode therapy on emotional maturity, ambiguity tolerance, and ego strength in students experiencing emotional breakdowns.

Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 24 students from Islamic Azad University of Rasht, Iran, who were randomly assigned to experimental (n= 12) and control group (n= 12). The experimental group underwent eight 90-minute sessions of group schema mode therapy. These sessions were conducted between May and June 2022 at Bahar Clinic in Rasht, Iran. Data collection tools included the Love Trauma Inventory (LTI), Emotional Maturity Scale (EMS), Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance Scale–II (MSTAT-II), and Ego Strength Scale (ESS). Statistical analysis was performed using ANCOVA and Partial eta squared (η2p).

Results: Results showed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups at post-test stage for emotional maturity (F(1,21)= 1.10, P= 0.306, η²P= 0.050), ambiguity tolerance (F(1,21)= 2.91, P= 0.103, η²P= 0.122), or ego strength (F(1,21)= 1.20, P= 0.285, η²P= 0.054), with small to medium effect sizes. There were no significant results observed.

Conclusion: This initial research investigation into emotional healing from romantic relationship endings did not discover major statistical evidence. This study suggests that future research should examine the effectiveness of schema mode therapy across diverse populations and settings, with particular attention to adapting therapeutic approaches to cultural contexts.
Keywords
Ambiguity
Ego
Emotion
Interpersonal relations
Schema therapy
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 2
March and April 2026
Pages 85-92