The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on fear of negative evaluation, interpretation bias and self-focused attention in women with generalized anxiety disorder

The aim of this study was the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on fear of negative evaluation, interpretation bias and self-focused attention in women with generalized anxiety disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test design and quarterly follow-up with the control group. The statistical population included women who referred to counseling centers in Qom in 1400. Based on a diagnostic interview and a 7-item scale scale of general anxiety, 24 women were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of 12 experiments. And controls were divided. The experimental group underwent 9 sessions of 90-60 minutes of cognitive-behavioral therapy based on group protocol (Wildermott, 2008) and the control group did not receive any intervention. Research tools include: Fear of Negative Evaluation Questionnaires (Watson and Friend; 1969), Interpretation Bias of Amir et al. (1998) and Woody, Chambels, & Glass (1997). Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software and descriptive and inferential tests including multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance. The findings showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy could reduce the symptoms of generalized anxiety compared to the control group. Conclusion, cognitive-behavioral therapy can be considered as an effective intervention for women with generalized anxiety disorder.