The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on psychological flexibility and self-compassion in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract

Background and Objective: PTSD is a chronic and disabling psychiatric disorder that, according to the Fifth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is part of the diagnostic set of stress-related disorders that can develop after encountering a traumatic event. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on cognitive flexibility and self-compassion in people with posttraumatic stress disorder. Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with two experimental groups and a control group, which was conducted with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design. The statistical population included adults aged 18 to 40 years with posttraumatic stress disorder who referred to psychological centers in Tehran in 1403. The sample size was 30 people who were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups and a control group (15 people in each group). The experimental group received cognitive behavioral therapy during 8 90-minute sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire and the Self-Compassion Questionnaire were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures.
Findings: The results of the study indicated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on the dimensions of psychological flexibility and self-compassion in adults with PTSD (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, specialists active in the field of post-traumatic stress disorder can consider using cognitive behavioral methodology in the treatment of these individuals along with other treatments.