Comparison of Schema Therapy and Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy on Reducing Depression Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Breast Cancer Patients in Hamedan

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and short-term dynamic psychotherapy in reducing depression symptoms and perceived stress in breast cancer patients. This randomized controlled trial was conducted with three groups. The study population included female breast cancer patients in Hamedan, of whom 45 were selected purposively and randomly assigned to schema therapy, short-term dynamic psychotherapy, and control groups (15 participants each). Both interventions were delivered in 10 sessions of 90 minutes. Data were collected using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and a five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni and Tukey post-hoc tests in SPSS-27. The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed significant main effects of group, time, and group × time interaction for both depression and perceived stress (p < .001). Bonferroni post-hoc tests indicated that both interventions significantly reduced depression and perceived stress compared with the control group (p < .001). Tukey tests further revealed that schema therapy was more effective than short-term dynamic psychotherapy in reducing both variables (p < .05). The findings suggest that both schema therapy and short-term dynamic psychotherapy can be considered effective interventions for reducing depression and perceived stress in breast cancer patients; however, schema therapy appears to provide stronger and more sustainable effects.