The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy- based Training on Generalized Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Cognitive Distortion in University Students

Mental health experts have examined the effect of schema therapy on a wide range of disorders. Identification of factors effective on the psychological and physical health of individuals, especially students, is important. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of training based on schema therapy on generalized anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive distortion in university students. The method of this research was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and control group. The study population included all students in Islamic Azad University, West Tehran Branch. 30 students were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups of control (N=15) and experiment (N=15). Then, schema therapy-based training was performed as the intervention. Data gathering tools were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty Questionnaire and Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale. Descriptive statistics (mean & standard deviation) and t-test were used for data analyses. After schema therapy training, there was a significant difference (P<0.01) between the two groups in mean of generalized anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and its components (self-referential implications and unfair and corrosive properties) and cognitive distortions and its components (interpersonal rejection, unrealistic expectation and misunderstanding in interpersonal communication). Schema Therapy-based training can serve as an effective approach to improve generalized anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive distortion in students.