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The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Experiential Avoidance in the Victims of the Afghanistan War
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Seyyed Valiollah Mousavi *1    , Sajjad Rezaei1 , Ashkan Naseh2 , Reza Ghasemi Jobaneh3 , Fraidon Assadullahi4 |
1- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
3- Assistant Professor of Counseling, Department of Psychology, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
4- PhD in Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran |
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Abstract: (17 Views) |
Introduction: War is associated with negative psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) includes theoretical foundations and practical exercises that can have an impact on general health.
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effect of CBT on PTSD symptoms and experiential avoidance in war victims.
Materials and Methods: the present study was conducted as a semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included victims of the Afghanistan war, 24 of whom were selected through purposive sampling and randomly (flip the coin) assigned to two experimental and control groups (12 people in each group). The experimental group received 15 sessions of 120 minutes of CBT, while the control group received no intervention. Participants responded to the Foa Ptsd Symptom Scale-Self Report and the Bond et al. Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. data were analyzed with SPSS software version 25 using the analysis of covariance test at a significance level of less than 0.05.
Results: Before the intervention, the two groups did not have a significant difference (P<0.05) in terms of the mean total PTSD score (experiment: 45.33±3.02, control: 45.25±1.95) and experiential avoidance (experiment: 42.16±2.24, control: 40.91±3.34); however, after the intervention, a significant difference (P<0.001) was observed between the two groups in terms of the mean total PTSD score (experiment: 18.66±8.90, control: 44.83±3.21) and experiential avoidance (experiment: 16.41±3.89, control: 41.66±3.55), and in the experimental group, the total PTSD score and experiential avoidance had decreased.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, CBT, through the use of techniques that are associated with the modification of cognitive distortions and the increase of behavioral skills, reduces PTSD symptoms and experiential avoidance and it is recommended to be used to improve the general health of war victims.
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| Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Experiential Avoidance, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, War |
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Full-Text [DOCX 115 kb]
(1 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Psychology
Received: 2025/07/18 | Revised: 2026/01/30 | Accepted: 2026/02/6 | Published: 2026/09/30
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