Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Marital Satisfaction and Distress Tolerance in Women with Premature Menopause

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) improved marital satisfaction and distress tolerance in women with premature menopause. In a quasi-experimental study, 30 women aged 35–45 were randomly assigned to eight 90-minute MBSR sessions or a control group. Those receiving MBSR showed significantly greater gains in both outcomes at post-test, and the effects remained stable at one-month follow-up. The authors suggest MBSR may help address emotional and relational challenges linked to premature menopause.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MBSR in enhancing marital satisfaction and distress tolerance among women with premature menopause. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and control group was used. Thirty women aged 35–45 with confirmed premature menopause were selected via purposive sampling from healthcare centers in Sari, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received eight 90-minute sessions of MBSR over four weeks. Marital satisfaction was measured using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and distress tolerance was assessed using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). Data were analyzed using MANCOVA after verifying statistical assumptions. Findings: After controlling for baseline scores, the MBSR group showed significantly greater improvements in marital satisfaction and distress tolerance compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These effects remained stable at one-month follow-up. Conclusion: MBSR appears to be an effective intervention for addressing emotional and relational difficulties associated with premature menopause. Its integration into psychological services for women’s health may support emotional resilience and interpersonal functioning.