Effectiveness of Beck’s Cognitive Therapy on Cognitive Avoidance, Arousal, and Dissociative Experiences in Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Beck’s cognitive therapy in reducing cognitive avoidance, arousal, and dissociative experiences among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A semi-experimental design with pretest–posttest control group and three-month follow-up was employed. The study population consisted of patients with PTSD attending psychotherapy clinics in western Tehran in 2024. Thirty eligible participants were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group underwent 12 weekly 90-minute sessions of Beck’s cognitive therapy. Measurement tools included the Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire (CAQ), the Distress and Arousal Questionnaire (DARQ), and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (II-DES). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS-22. Beck’s cognitive therapy significantly reduced cognitive avoidance, arousal, and dissociative experiences compared to the control group (p<0.01). These improvements were maintained at the three-month follow-up. Effect size estimates indicated substantial and clinically meaningful changes across all target symptoms. Beck’s cognitive therapy is an effective intervention for alleviating key PTSD symptoms, including cognitive avoidance, hyperarousal, and dissociative experiences. Its structured approach and sustained effects support its clinical utility for PTSD treatment and long-term psychological recovery.