EFFICACY OF GROUP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY BASED ON RATIONAL-EMOTIONAL APPROACH ON LOCUS OF CONTROL AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Academic achievement of medical students is effective in public health. the aim of present research was to study the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral therapy based on rational-emotional approach of Elis on locus of control and academic achievement in medical students. The present research was quasi-experimental method with pre – post test, fallow up and control group. The sample consisted of 60 medical students in Jondi Shahpoor medical science university who were poor in academic achievement and unaccepted for 3 semesters. 30 students with external locus of control were selected and randomly divided into two groups (n=30). Eight sessions of group cognitive-behavioral therapy based on rational- emotional approach of Elis was administered one hour per week. The instruments were Rotter external-internal locus of control and academic achievement. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between two groups in academic achievement and locus of control (p<0/001). Group cognitive-behavioral therapy based on rational-emotional approach was effective on locus of control and academic achievement in medical students. These results were consistent in follow up period. Group cognitive-behavioral therapy based on rational-emotional approach increased the internal locus of control and academic achievement in medical students.