Efficacy of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mental Health, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Students with COVID-19 Anxiety

 The COVID-19 pandemic has aroused fear and anxiety in many people worldwide.

 The study was conducted to measure the efficacy of internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (ICBT) for mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in students with COVID-19 anxiety.

 This semi-experimental study was conducted as a pre-post-test with a control group. The statistical population of the research included the students of the Tarbiat Modares University in the academic year 2021. To collect the required data, 30 students with COVID-19 anxiety were randomly allocated to control (n = 30) and experimental (n = 30) groups. The data collection tools included a questionnaire on COVID-19 anxiety, mental health, PTSD, and OCD. Following the pre-test, ICBT was implemented in eight 90-minute sessions for the experimental group. To analyze the data, SPSS software version 24 and the multivariate covariance analysis were used.

 It was revealed that ICBT could significantly increase mental health (M = 54.26, F = 33.38) and reduce PTSD (M = 67.20, F = 30.43) and OCD (M = 116.13, F = 19.11) in students with COVID-19 anxiety (P < 0.01).

 In general, it can be acknowledged that ICBT has promoted mental health and reduced PTSD and OCD. Accordingly, it is suggested to hold workshops and virtual programs by psychologists for students with COVID-19 anxiety.