An Investigation on the Effect of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy on Reduction of Anxiety, Depression, and Distress in People with Anxiety Disorder in the age of Corona

This study aimed to investigate the effect of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on the reduction of anxiety, depression, and distress in people with an anxiety disorder.

The present study was applied and quasi-experimental in terms of the method (consisting of pre-test, post-test, and control group). The population of this study consisted of people with anxiety disorder referred to Loghman Hospital in Tehran. 20 people who were selected as participants based on the inclusion criteria, were randomly divided into two groups (i.e., REBT and control groups) equally (10 people in each group). Experimental pretest and posttest were performed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the participants in the experimental group underwent the experiment for three months (a two-hour session per week). The results were analyzed using the analysis of covariance.

The results showed that REBT intervention was significantly effective in reducing patients' distress, depression, and anxiety.

REBT can be effective in reducing patients’ psychological problems by helping them recognize their irrational beliefs better and reducing their anxiety (self-blame) and hostility (blaming others and the universe).