Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy on Emotional Processing and Cognitive Flexibility in Middle-Aged Men with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Shiva Ahmadi; Seyed Abdolmajid Bahrainian; Fatemeh  Shahabizadeh; Jalil  Jarrahi Feriz

Authors

Shiva Ahmadi Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2447-1250
Seyed Abdolmajid Bahrainian Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2819-2182
Fatemeh Shahabizadeh Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5309-9516
Jalil Jarrahi Feriz Department of Mathematics, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3302-6536

Keywords:

Generalized anxiety disorder, emotional processing, cognitive flexibility, schema therapy, intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy.

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on emotional processing and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged men with generalized anxiety disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest–posttest design, a three-month follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all middle-aged men aged 30 to 45 years with generalized anxiety disorder who were referred to psychiatric clinics in Neyshabur City during the first six months of 2025. Among them, 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 individuals each (two experimental groups and one control group). Each experimental group received 12 weekly 90-minute intervention sessions, whereas the control group remained on the waiting list. Data were collected at three time points using the Emotional Processing Scale developed by Baker et al. (2010) and the Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire developed by Dennis and Vander Wal (2010), and were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. The findings indicated that both interventions, compared with the control group, had significant positive effects on improving emotional processing and increasing cognitive flexibility, and these effects were maintained at the follow-up assessment. However, post hoc tests revealed no significant differences between the two therapeutic approaches in any of the dependent variables. Based on the findings, both therapeutic methods can be considered effective interventions for improving the cognitive, emotional, and psychological dimensions of generalized anxiety disorder among middle-aged men. The choice between these approaches may be determined based on patient preference, therapist expertise, and practical considerations.

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