Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies

Background & Objectives: Obesity as a chronic and prevalent disorder is directly and indirectly associated with many diseases and actually it is one of the most important fields of study in health psychology. This study assessed the efficacy of Interpersonal Psychotherapy on weight loss and cognitive emotion regulation in obese people.

Methods: Twenty eight obese People (Body Mass Index>29.9) were selected by purposeful sampling. Then, at the beginning of the study, they completed demographic and emotional cognitive regulation questionnaires.  Furthermore the participants’ Body Mass Index was measured at the first meeting and at the end of the treatment. Participants were assigned to the intervention and the control groups randomly. The intervention group participated in Interpersonal group Psychotherapy for ten sessions, and completed the questionnaires again at the end of the treatment sessions. Statistical methods included chi-square test, t-test for comparing two independent groups and analysis of covariance.

Results: The findings showed that Interpersonal Psychotherapy could reduce body mass index and negative emotional cognitive regulation strategies and increases positive emotional cognitive regulation strategies (p<0.01). 

Conclusion: Accordingly, interpersonal psychotherapy is an effective way for losing weight and improving cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Therefore, this treatment method is recommended to promote the physical and mental health of obese individuals.