The Comparison of ACT and CBT on Health Anxiety and Emotional Self-Awareness of Adult Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Authors

    Zahra Fattah Katamjani * Master Student of Clinical Psychology, Tehran West Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran zahra.fattah63@gmail.com
    Sayeh Mehmani Master Student of Clinical Psychology, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Eslamshahr, Iran
    Maryam Rafiei Master Student of Clinical Psychology, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Eslamshahr, Iran
https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

Mindfulness therapy, Transactional analysis, Sexual function, Marital commitment, Bipolar disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on reducing health anxiety and enhancing emotional self-awareness among adult women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Methods and Materials: In this randomized controlled trial, 45 adult women diagnosed with GAD in Tehran were assigned to one of three groups: ACT (n = 15), CBT (n = 15), or a control group (n = 15). The ACT group participated in eight 90-minute sessions, while the CBT group underwent twelve 60-minute sessions. Both interventions spanned a 12-week period. Health anxiety was measured using the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI), and emotional self-awareness was assessed with the Emotional Self-Awareness Scale (ESAS). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a four-month follow-up. Data analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests using SPSS-27 software.

Findings: Both ACT and CBT groups showed significant reductions in health anxiety and significant increases in emotional self-awareness from baseline to post-test, which were maintained at the four-month follow-up (p < .001). No significant differences were found between the ACT and CBT groups regarding the effectiveness of the interventions (p > .05). The control group did not exhibit significant changes over time (p > .05). The Time × Group interaction was not statistically significant, indicating similar patterns of improvement in both intervention groups.

Conclusion: ACT and CBT are equally effective in reducing health anxiety and enhancing emotional self-awareness among adult women with GAD. The findings suggest that both therapies can be viable options for treating health anxiety and improving emotional self-awareness.

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Published

2024-07-01

Submitted

2024-04-02

Revised

2024-06-15

Accepted

2024-06-23

How to Cite

Fattah Katamjani, Z. ., Mehmani, S. ., & Rafiei, M. . (2024). The Comparison of ACT and CBT on Health Anxiety and Emotional Self-Awareness of Adult Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Psychology of Woman Journal, 5(3), 145-155. https://doi.org/10.61838/

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