The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on happiness of women with HIV in Iran.
Nahid Asadi, Parvin Abedi, Parvaneh Mousavi, Shahla Molavi, Mohammad Hossein Haghighizadeh
AIDS Care April 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2025.2605514 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial evaluated mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for women living with HIV in Ahvaz, Iran. Ninety-two women were assigned to either eight 90-minute MBCT sessions or a no-intervention control group. After the intervention, the MBCT group's happiness scores increased from 30.9 to 40.5 on the Oxford Happiness Inventory, while controls changed minimally from 32.8 to 33.9. Improvements also appeared in self-esteem, mood, self-efficacy, health perception, and life satisfaction, and depression scores decreased. The authors suggest MBCT can enhance happiness and psychological well-being in this population.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 92 |
| Population | Women living with HIV in Ahvaz, Iran |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Dose | eight 90-minute sessions |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Sdg3 Women’s mental health |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy increased happiness scores and reduced depression among women with HIV compared to a control group. |
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in enhancing happiness among women living with HIV in Ahvaz, Iran. A randomized controlled trial assigned 92 eligible women to either an MBCT group (n = 46) or a control group (n = 46). The MBCT group participated in eight 90 min sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Oxford Happiness Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, and repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). Post-intervention, the MBCT group showed a significant increase in happiness (30.9 ± 7.1 to 40.5 ± 4.9) compared to minimal change in controls (32.8 ± 7.1 to 33.9 ± 7.0, p < 0.001). Subscale improvements included self-esteem (2.1 ± 1.4 to 3.3 ± 1.0), mood (8.8 ± 2.9 to 11.0 ± 2.5), self-efficacy (3.4 ± 1.7 to 4.8 ± 1.7), health perception (6.8 ± 2.1 to 9.2 ± 1.6), and life satisfaction (11.7 ± 3.4 to 14.7 ± 2.5) (all p < 0.01). Depression scores decreased significantly (16.6 ± 4.9 to 11.9 ± 3.1, p < 0.001). Findings indicate MBCT effectively enhances happiness and related psychological factors in women with HIV, supporting its role in improving mental well-being.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20231004059614N1.