Comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on self-compassion in cancer patients

Background and aims: Cancer is impressive on different aspects of life,  including mental health. The present research aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy  (CBT) and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) on self-compassion in cancer patients. Methods: An experimental study with pre-test/post-test and with control group was designed. Among women with cancer in Gorgan city in 2020, 30 people were selected and randomly divided into three groups (two experimental and one control groups). Neff's self-compassion scale was used in the pre-test and post-test to collect data. The intervention of ISTDP and CBT was conducted in 11 sessions of 90 minutes over two month. The control group remained on the waiting list. Data analysis was performed by covariance statistical analysis. Results: According to the findings ISTDP and CBT have a significant effect on self-compassion in cancer patient (p<0.01). However, no significant difference was found in the effectiveness between ISTDP and CBT Conclusion: Based on the results, ISTDP and CBT increase the self-compassion in cancer patients. Nevertheless, there is not significant diffrence between the effectiveness of these two treatments.