Sadra Medical Journal

The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy on Illness Perceptions and Adjustment in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Azita Naseri 1
Biyuk Tajeri 2
Alireza Mollazade 3

1 Department of Psychology, UAE Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2 Department of Psychology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Psychology, Ashtian Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2026.104042.1562
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD) not only present physical symptoms but also induce cognitive and psychological changes in patients, which can disrupt adjustment to the illness. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy on illness perception and adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease. 
Methods: The present study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population included all women and men suffering from coronary heart disease who were referred to the specialized center of Milad Hospital in Tehran during 2022. A purposive sample of 30 eligible volunteers was selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of solution-focused therapy, while the control group received routine treatment. Data collection instruments included the Illness Perception Questionnaire (Broadbent et al., 2006) and the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory (Weinberger, 1991). Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with between-groups factors via SPSS software (version 22).
Results: The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of illness perception and adjustment in the experimental and control groups at post-test and follow-up (P < 0.05). Specifically, approximately 39%, 18%, and 15% of the individual differences in illness perception, distress tolerance, and self-control, respectively, were attributable to the between-group differences. Furthermore, the interaction between intervention phases and group membership was significant for illness perception, distress tolerance, and self-control (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The application of solution-focused therapy was beneficial for improving Illness perception and adjustment in patients with coronary heart disease. Nurses, as essential members of the healthcare team, could directly influence patients' psychological well-being through educational interventions.
 

Keywords

Psychotherapy, Brief
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
perception
Adaptation, Psychological
Coronary Disease
Patients
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 14, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 95-106

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