A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Self-Compassion-Focused Therapy and Mentalization‐Based Therapy on Attachment Styles among Married Women Experiencing Marital Boredom

Background: The stability of marital relationships is fundamental to the family system. Also, attachment styles are key variables in preventing emotional stagnation within the family. This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of Compassion- Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) in modifying attachment styles among married women experiencing marital boredom.Methods: This quasi-experimental study incorporated pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up stages with a control group. A total of 60 women meeting the inclusion criteria were selected through convenience sampling method and were then randomly assigned to either the CFT group, the MBT group, or a control group. The participants in the intervention groups engaged in weekly sessions—eight for CFT and twelve for MBT—each lasting 90 minutes. Data were collected using the Marital Boredom Questionnaire and the Short Form of Hazen and Shaver’s Attachment Style Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS version 24.Results: Both CFT and MBT significantly improved secure attachment scores while reducing insecure-avoidant and anxiousambivalent styles (P=0.01). The MBT group demonstrated the greatest improvement in secure attachment scores (M=27.55, SD=2.43), while the CFT group also showed a notable increase (M=26.60, SD=2.13), though slightly lower than that of the MBT group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two therapies (P>0.05); however, both therapies showed superiority over the control group.Conclusion: The study findings indicated that both CFT and MBT are effective approaches to enhancing attachment security and reducing relational dysfunction among women facing marital boredom. These interventions may serve as valuable tools in family-focused educational and therapeutic programs.