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Fatemeh Zahra Mazhari; Babollah Bakhshipour Joybari; Hoda babai kafaki
Abstract
Objective: One of the common psychological challenges during adolescence is precocious puberty. Differentiating between normal and real precocious puberty, especially in its early stages, can be complex and difficult due to the subtle and overlapping nature of symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral ...
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Objective: One of the common psychological challenges during adolescence is precocious puberty. Differentiating between normal and real precocious puberty, especially in its early stages, can be complex and difficult due to the subtle and overlapping nature of symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT) has emerged as a promising intervention specifically aimed at improving the psychological well-being of adolescents experiencing early puberty. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MB-CBT on body image concerns, fear of negative evaluation, and peer relationships in adolescent girls with precocious puberty. Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest structure with a control group and random selection. The statistical population included all girls aged 11 to 13 diagnosed with precocious puberty who visited the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic in Sari over the past five years (from the first half of 2019 to the first half of 2023). Based on the clinic’s records, approximately 400 individuals met the inclusion criteria. Through purposive sampling, 30 girls were selected based on their demographic characteristics, including age, gender, and medical history. These participants were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Both groups completed pretest and posttest assessments. The experimental group participated in an 8-session MB-CBT intervention, each session lasting 90 minutes and conducted once a week over two months. The protocol was based on the MB-CBT manual developed by Bahraini et al. (2022). The control group did not receive any psychological intervention but remained in contact with the research team throughout the study. Data collection tools included the Body Image Concern Inventory (Littleton et al., 2005), the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (Leary, 1983), and the Peer Relationship Questionnaire (Hudson, 1992). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 26. Assumptions of normality were tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: The analysis confirmed that the data met the assumptions of normality. After controlling for the pretest scores, the results indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the posttest scores for all three variables: body image concern (F = 21.07, p < .05), fear of negative evaluation (F = 50.29, p < .05), and peer relationships (F = 58.19, p < .05). These findings support the effectiveness of MB-CBT in alleviating psychological difficulties associated with early puberty. Conclusion: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps adolescent girls with early puberty better identify and manage negative thoughts related to body image by promoting present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance. Rather than directly challenging these thoughts, the intervention modifies the individual’s relationship with them, reducing mental rumination and psychological distress. Moreover, MB-CBT can effectively reduce fear of negative evaluation by increasing awareness of negative thought patterns and encouraging nonjudgmental acceptance, ultimately improving performance in social settings. By disrupting maladaptive cognitive cycles, this approach facilitates the development of healthier cognitive patterns, preventing the reinforcement of social anxiety. Thus, MB-CBT can be recommended as an effective intervention for reducing body image concerns and fear of negative evaluation, and for improving peer relationships in adolescent girls with precocious puberty. It is also suggested for use by child and adolescent psychologists, counselors, and educators working with this population.
