Effectiveness of Group Supportive Psychotherapy on Emotion Regulation and Reduction of Binge Eating in Adolescents with Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group supportive psychotherapy on emotion regulation and reduction of binge eating among adolescent girls with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and control groups. The statistical population consisted of high school female students in Sabzevar during the 2024–2025 academic year. A total of 34 participants were selected purposively and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 17) and control (n = 17) groups. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of supportive psychotherapy. Research instruments included the Emotion Control Questionnaire, the Bulimia Nervosa Scale, and the Premenstrual Syndrome Assessment Scale. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA/MANCOVA). Results indicated that, after controlling for pretest scores, supportive psychotherapy significantly improved emotion regulation components including anger control, depressed mood, anxiety, and positive affect. Moreover, a significant reduction in binge eating symptoms was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings suggest that supportive psychotherapy can serve as an effective psychological intervention to enhance emotional regulation and reduce maladaptive eating behaviors in adolescents with PMS, highlighting the importance of non-pharmacological and psychosocial approaches in promoting mental health among adolescent girls.