The Effectiveness of Paradox Therapy in Reducing Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms and Self-Injurious Behaviors among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Isfahan, Iran

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of paradox therapy in reducing anorexia nervosa symptoms and self-injurious behaviors among adolescent girls and young women in Isfahan, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This applied quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest control group design. The sample consisted of 20 female participants aged 13–21 years with symptoms of anorexia nervosa and self-injurious behaviors who were selected through convenience sampling from counseling centers, psychiatric clinics, and specialized gastrointestinal clinics in Isfahan. Participants were assigned to an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). Data were collected using the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale and the Self-Harm Inventory. The experimental group received six individual sessions of paradox therapy, each lasting 60 minutes and conducted once every two weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, assumption testing, and analysis of covariance in SPSS version 27.

Findings: After controlling for pretest scores, ANCOVA results showed a significant effect of paradox therapy on reducing anorexia nervosa symptoms, F(1, 17) = 25.11, p < .001, partial η² = .596. The intervention also had a significant effect on reducing self-injurious behaviors, F(1, 17) = 145.12, p < .001, partial η² = .895. These findings indicated that participants in the paradox therapy group demonstrated significantly greater improvement than those in the control group.

Conclusion: Paradox therapy may be an effective intervention for reducing anorexia nervosa symptoms and self-injurious behaviors by targeting emotional avoidance, maladaptive control, and symptom-related resistance.