Objectives The present study aimed to determine the impact of self-compassion training on symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, and distress tolerance (DT) in women with dermatillomania and trichotillomania.
Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design. Participants were 30 women with dermatillomania and trichotillomania referred to clinics in Tehran, Iran, in 2024. They were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection tools included anxiety sensitivity index (ASI), DT scale (DTS), the Massachusetts general hospital hairpulling scale (MGH-HPS), and skin picking scale (SPS). The intervention group received self-compassion training based on Gilbert’s protocol at eight sessions. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of variance.
Results The intervention group showed a significant reduction in the mean scores of MGH-HPS, SPS, and ASI, and a significant increase in the mean score of DTS in the post-test and follow-up phases compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion The self-compassion training is effective in reducing symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, and improving DT in women with dermatillomania and trichotillomania.