Comparing the Efficacy of Mindful Self-Compassion and Solution-Focused Group Therapy on Intolerance of Ambiguity in Female University Students

Authors
Mohammadreza Khosrojerdi 1
Mustafa Bolghan-Abadi 2
Ahmad Mansouri 1
1 Department of Psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Ira
Abstract
Introduction: Tolerance of ambiguity is an important issue in the field of mental health. Students who tolerate ambiguity more successfully achieve higher academic performance. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of self-conscious, self-compassion-based group therapy and short-term solution-focused group therapy concerning tolerance of ambiguity in female students.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up design with a control group. Participants were female university students enrolled at Sabzevar University. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: mindful self-compassion, solution-focused brief group, or control. The Tolerance of Ambiguity Scale by Mclean (2009) was used to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive and inferential statistics (repeated measures ANOVA).

Results: There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of solution-focused and mindful self-compassion therapy in reducing intolerance of ambiguity. However, solution-focused therapy exhibited a larger effect size.

Conclusion: Given the lack of significant differences between the two therapies, further research is recommended to explore the effectiveness of these interventions outside the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords
Solution-Focused therapy
Self-Compassion
Mindfulness
Ambiguity of Tolerance
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