The Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Therapy on Distress Tolerance and Alexithymia in Women with Marital Conflicts

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Khalkhal Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal, Iran

10.22034/jmpr.2025.68549.6762

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on distress tolerance and alexithymia in women experiencing marital conflicts. This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women with marital conflicts in Ardabil city in 2024 who had referred to psychological and counseling centers. From this population, 30 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 participants in each group). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of mentalization-based therapy, while the control group received no intervention. The research instruments included the Distress Tolerance Scale and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, which were administered in both pretest and posttest stages. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings indicated that mentalization-based therapy led to a significant increase in distress tolerance and a significant reduction in alexithymia in the experimental group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Based on the results, it can be concluded that mentalization-based therapy is an effective approach for improving distress tolerance and reducing alexithymia in women with marital conflicts.

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References

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Journal of Modern Psychological Researches
Volume 20, Issue 80
January 2026
Pages 65-75

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 20 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 22 September 2025

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