Comparison of the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on cognitive emotion regulation and reduction of rumination in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common anxiety disorders observed in clinical centers and the general population. the purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment on cognitive emotion regulation and reduction of intellectual anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. For this purpose, during a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and control group, 45 patients with generalized anxiety disorder referred to counseling centers in Tehran were selected as available sample and randomly selected in three groups. The 15-person group (15 in the commitment and acceptance group; 15 in the dialectical behavior therapy group; and 15 in the control group) were replaced. Dialectical Behavior therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) training programs were administered to the experimental groups during 14 sessions. the groups were assessed for cognitive emotion regulation and rumination at the beginning, end and two months after the study. the results of covariance showed that the mean of post-test rumination variable in the dialectic group was lower than that of the commitment and acceptance groups. Rumination variable in both treatment groups was less than control group.the mean of emotional adjustment components in dialectical treatment group is lower than that of commitment and acceptance group. this study supports the need for controlling emotional regulation and rumination in people with generalized anxiety.