The effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy on cognitive flexibility of depressed people

In cognitive flexibility theory، mental health is considered to be an acceptance of self’s internal and external environments، self-acceptance and commitment to activities which are consistent in terms of value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy on cognitive flexibility of depressed people. To this end، during the pre-test and post-test، in a semi-experimental study with a control group، 37 students of Ahvaz University who had mild symptoms of depression were selected using purposive sampling. They were randomly divided into two groups of control and experiment (21 patients in the experimental group and 16 patients in the control group). The groups were tested both at the beginning and at the end of the study، in terms of depression and cognitive flexibility. The experimental group underwent cognitive behavioral group therapy for two months (8 sessions of 90 minutes each). Mankva analysis indicated that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective on increasing cognitive flexibility and this effect continues until the follow up stage. It seems that using cognitive-behavioral techniques and exercises، we can increase flexibility and eventually improve mood.