The Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy on Cognitive Flexibility and Perceived Burdensomeness in People with Addiction Tendencies

The present research aimed to determine the effectiveness of narrative therapy on cognitive flexibility and perceived burdensomeness in individuals with addictive tendencies.

The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The research statistical population included all individuals aged 18-35 years with addictive tendencies in the city of Ardabil in an addiction treatment camp in 2022. Among them, 24 people were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two 12-people experimental (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups, and they responded to the cognitive flexibility scale and the interpersonal needs questionnaire. The experimental group received 6 narrative therapy sessions. The data were analyzed using multivariate covariance.

The results showed that the narrative therapy intervention was effective in increasing cognitive flexibility and reducing perceived burdensomeness in individuals with addictive tendencies.

The findings of this research provide useful information regarding the effectiveness of narrative therapy on addictive tendencies in individuals, and psychologists and counselors can use the narrative therapy intervention to increase and improve cognitive flexibility and reduce perceived burdensomeness in the rehabilitation of individuals with addictive tendencies.