Abstract
This report describes initial results from a multi-stage project to manualize and adapt an indigenous therapy, Chinese Taoist Cognitive Psychotherapy (CTCP), for dissemination in the United States context. Study aims were to (a) integrate cultural adaptation and implementation science frameworks to manualize and adapt the original intervention and (b) explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the modified intervention, renamed Taoist Cognitive Therapy (TCT), in a sample of Chinese immigrants with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Incorporating bottom-up and top-down adaptation approaches, we involved Chinese American clinician stakeholders and experts in Taoist philosophy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and GAD to help identify cultural and contextual barriers and solutions to enhance treatment acceptability and implementation. Five treatment-seeking Chinese American immigrants (average age = 43.2 years) with a primary diagnosis of GAD completed 14–16 sessions of TCT. Two participants also had secondary diagnoses of major depressive disorder. Changes on primary measures of worry and anxiety were assessed for statistical and clinical significance using reliable change indices (RCIs; Jacobson and Truax, 1991) and comparisons to normative data. In this sample of patients with limited prior exposure to Taoism, results found evidence of feasibility and acceptability of the modified intervention, with strong endorsement of Taoist principles at termination. Statistically and clinically significant improvements in anxiety, worry, psychological inflexibility, and emotional avoidance were found only for the participants without comorbid depression. Results suggest that Taoist principles of acceptance and flexible adaptation to natural laws may be helpful to Chinese immigrants coping with anxiety. However, additional treatment modifications may be required to address the low self-efficacy and fatalism expressed among those with comorbid depression.
Highlights
While most influential psychotherapeutic interventions have been developed in Western contexts and exported worldwide, the rise of mindfulness and other contemplative interventions has highlighted the psychological wisdom that may be found in principles and practices originating in non-Western cultures (Murguia and Díaz, 2015; Moodley et al, 2018)
We focused on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) given its chronicity and prevalence in the population, comorbidity with other anxiety and mood disorders, and high levels of functional impairment
This study represents a rare attempt to adapt and manualize a promising therapy developed in China for dissemination in the United States context
Summary
While most influential psychotherapeutic interventions have been developed in Western contexts and exported worldwide, the rise of mindfulness and other contemplative interventions has highlighted the psychological wisdom that may be found in principles and practices originating in non-Western cultures (Murguia and Díaz, 2015; Moodley et al, 2018) Building on this trend, this report describes initial results from a multi-stage project to manualize and adapt an indigenous therapy developed in China, Chinese Taoist Cognitive Psychotherapy (CTCP), for dissemination in the United States context. They standardized their approach in the form of a Taoism-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that targeted patients’ distorted views of the world as predictable and controllable and promoted coping responses aligned with the Tao (Zhang et al, 2002; Young et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
