The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy Intervention in Weight, Body Image and Self-esteem of Obese People: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Helping people with obesity as well as identifying the factors affecting their weight, body image, and self-esteem have become health necessities. Schema therapy is an effective method of third-wave psychotherapy for reducing the problems of obese people. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy in watching body weight as well as improving body image and self-esteem in patients with obesity. Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial. The study’s statistical population included all obese people referring to Mehr Counseling and Psychology Center in Tehran (Iran) in 2019. Out of the given population, 32 individuals were selected by adopting convenience sampling method and, then, were randomly divided into schema therapy (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. Data were obtained using body mass index (BMI), Cooper Smith self-esteem questionnaire, and body image questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using repeated-measures analysis of variance and SPSS 22 software. The significance level of the tests was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed that schema therapy had a significant effect on the weight (P<0.001), body image (P<0.001), and self-esteem (P<0.001) compared to the control group. The results also revealed that BMI and self-esteem were significantly improved by schema therapy training (P<0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that schema therapy had a positive effect on weight, body image, and selfesteem in people with obesity.