Abstract:
The present study aimed to explore the efficacy ofschema therapy in combination with
mindfulness for reducing anxiety level of individuals in group setting. It was
hypothesized that significant reductions in anxiety level of experimental group
participants along with significant difference in comparison to the control group will be
found. The sample included 14 students from the Institute of Professional Psychology,
Bahria University Karachi Campus, after excluding dropout participants. The
participants were equally divided into experimental group and waiting-list control group
after screening them for anxiety levels with the help of Generalized Anxiety Disorder -
7 (GAD-7) (Spitzer, Williams, &Kroenke, 2006). Eight therapy sessions were conducted
by following Mindfulness and Schema Therapy - A Practical Guide (van Vreeswijk,
Broersen, &Schurink, 2014). The pretest and posttest for anxiety levels were done by
applying Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (Zung, 1971). Furthermore, Young
Schema Questionnaire-Short Form - 3rd Edition (YSQ-S3) (Young, 2014) and Schema
Mode Inventory - 1st Edition(SMI-l.l)(Young et al., 2014) were applied for identifying
schemas and modes, respectively. At the end ofthe study, the pretest and posttest scores
wereanalyzedstatistically to determine the change in participants’ levels of anxiety.The
findings showed significant reductions in anxiety levels of experimental group
participants but significant difference in posttest anxiety levels between both the groups
was not observed. However, the mean reduction in anxiety level of participants was
greater for experimental group as compared to the waiting-list control group. Therefore,
it can be implied from the outcome of the current study that schema therapy and
mindfulness can be helpful in reducing anxiety when applied in conjunction.
