Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness -Based Cognitive Therapy on Perceived Stress and Subjective Well-Being among Girls with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Zahra Seyfi Kordlar, Majid Baradaran, Azar Kiamarsi, Reza Kazemi
مطالعات روانشناختی June 15, 2026 DOI: 10.22051/psy.2025.50616.3130 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test controlled study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Female students diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) at Islamic Azad University, Talesh Branch |
| Interventions | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Eight 2-hour sessions |
| Measures | Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, Mental Well-being Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cbt Perceived stress Pmdd Subjective well being |
| Key findings | Both CBT and MBCT reduced perceived stress and enhanced subjective well-being in female students with PMDD, except on the emotional well-being subscale, where no effect was reported. The authors report that CBT was more effective than MBCT. |
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on perceived stress and subjective well-being among female students diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). The research design was quasi-experimental with a pre-test/post-test design, including a control group. The statistical population comprised all female students diagnosed with PMDD at the Islamic Azad University, Talesh Branch, in the year 1402 [Solar Hijri calendar]. Initially, 120 individuals were identified through simple cluster sampling and screening using a specific test, and subsequently, three groups of 20 volunteers each were randomly assigned. The two experimental groups received two different interventions over eight 2-hour sessions. The control group received no intervention. The instruments were the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Mental Well-being Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and post-hoc tests. The results indicated that both CBT and MBCT were effective in reducing perceived stress and enhancing subjective well-being of students with PMDD, with the exception of the emotional well-being subscale. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was found to be more effective than Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |