Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy Model Research Articles

Death Anxiety in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing REBT Models of Psychopathology and Psychological Health of Death Anxiety.

Objective: This paper aimed to examine the validity of the death anxiety psychopathological and psychological health models of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). We investigated whether irrational and rational beliefs were associated with death anxiety and if there are possible significant positive correlations between death anxiety and depression, anxiety, and stress. Method: A sample of 200 individuals completed online self-report measures and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was chosen to assess the validity of the REBT psychopathological model and the REBT psychological health model. Pearson's correlation analysis was utilized to confirm the relationships between death anxiety and depression, anxiety, and stress. Results: REBT's model of psychopathology provide acceptable fit of the data. Results suggest that LFT beliefs mediate the relationship between DEM and death anxiety, while no mediation effect was found for the psychological health model. Additionally, high correlations were obtained between death anxiety and depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions: Results provided empirical support for the REBT models of death anxiety and underline the critical importance of cognitive constructs in the prediction of death anxiety. Results are discussed within the framework of REBT theory, which can serve as a foundation for new research directions regarding death anxiety, both theoretical and clinical.

The effectiveness of the Bisindo-based rational emotive behavior therapy model in reducing social anxiety in deaf women victims of sexual harassment

PurposeSocial anxiety disorder is a common phenomenon that occurs in everyone with varying degrees, ranging from mild to severe. One of the causes of social anxiety disorder is a traumatic experience due to sexual harassment that has been experienced. In deaf women, this experience is made more difficult because of the language and speech limitations shared. As a result, irrational thoughts and beliefs arise for the victim. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Bisindo-based rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) model in reducing social anxiety in deaf women who are victims of sexual harassment.Design/methodology/approachThe research method uses single-subject research with multiple baselines across subjects. The research subjects were deaf women victims of sexual harassment who the National Government Organization Woman Crises Center in West Sumatra and the Association of Indonesian Special Education Professionals identified. Data were collected by observation and social anxiety scale and analyzed by graphical visual analysis.FindingsThe results showed that the Bisindo-based REBT was effective in reducing social anxiety in deaf women who were victims of sexual harassment.Research limitations/implicationsThe implementation of therapy in this study involved therapists, teachers and sign language interpreters. It requires extraordinary time and effort for the subjects to be able to reveal the sexual harassment they experienced. Furthermore, the small number of subjects meant that the results of this study could not be generalized widely. Therefore, this study has implications for future researchers to conduct experiments using the Bisindo-based REBT model on more subjects.Practical implicationsPractically, the results of this study have implications for a model for handling cases of sexual harassment in deaf women that can be used by women’s organizations and the Indonesian Association of Women with Disabilities.Originality/valueIt is recommended for counselors, psychologists and therapists to use the Bisindo-based REBT in dealing with cases of sexual harassment in deaf women because therapy that follows the characteristics of the victim’s language can help them to get the expected results.

Bisindo-based rational emotive behaviour therapy model: study preliminary prevention of sexual harassment in women with deafness

PurposeWomen with deafness are one of the vulnerable groups who experience sexual harassment. As a result, they experience psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, fear and trauma. This problem is made worse because women with deafness have language and speech disorders. This paper aims to explore sexual harassment of women with deafness and develop Bisindo-based rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) to deal with sexual harassment against women with deafness.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation model of the R&D approach, this preliminary research study was carried out in four stages. The research respondents for the need assessment were 166 people with ten professional backgrounds spread throughout Indonesia. Respondents for model validation tests are ten people: REBT experts, psychologists, Bisindo experts, teachers, lecturers, Head of Women's Organization (WCC) and Head of the Deaf Community (Gerkatin) in West Sumatra. Data were collected by questionnaire.FindingsThe results showed that many women with deafness experienced sexual harassment. The handling model using REBT mediated by Bisindo is needed in further research to test its effectiveness. The validity test results show that the Bisindo-based REBT model has been declared feasible, helpful, accurate and practical to be used as a response model for sexual harassment in women with deafness.Originality/valueThe results of this study imply the need for the application of therapies that follow the characteristics of victims, such as Bisindo-based REBT for female sexual victims.

The map of cognitive processes in boredom: multiple mediation models.

Trait boredom is associated with several internalizing and externalizing problems. Addressing existing research gaps in the field, the present study investigated the map of cognitive processes for boredom, based on the rational emotive behaviour therapy model (REBT). The general aim of the study was to investigate the organization of irrational and rational evaluative cognitions related to boredom, and the association between boredom and depression symptoms and state/trait anxiety. The 233 participants (84% women) completed online scales of evaluative cognitions, trait boredom, trait/state anxiety and depression. Multiple mediation models via the SPSS extension PROCESS were employed. The REBT psychopathology and psychological health models were partially confirmed, as the evaluative primary cognitions predicted positively and significantly the secondary ones in both cases. Low frustration tolerance (LFT) and global evaluations (GE), and frustration tolerance (FT), respectively, had significant effects. We found a positive significant association between boredom proneness and the negative dysfunctional emotions investigated. Both results offer further support for the hierarchy of cognitions and the distinction between the level of irrationality and rationality in REBT. This is the first attempt to assess a cognitive map of boredom, underlining the importance of (L)FT in relation to boredom. The significance of GE in boredom suggests that people might see themselves responsible, or even blame themselves, others or life itself while bored. The associations of boredom with anxiety and depression are relevant, as its role in those contexts is not yet fully understood.

Rational beliefs, happiness and optimism: An empirical assessment of REBT's model of psychological health.

This study sought to test the validity of the psychological health model of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). Specifically, this study sought to investigate if rational beliefs were associated with happiness and optimism. A multinational sample of 397 university students completed self-report measures of rational beliefs, happiness and optimism. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used in order to test the validity of the REBT model of psychological health. The result of the SEM analysis provided empirical support for REBT's psychological health model of happiness and optimism. The model as a whole explained 33% of variance in levels of happiness and 40% of variance in levels of optimism. Self-acceptance beliefs were positively and directly associated with happiness and optimism. Preference beliefs were positively and indirectly associated with happiness and optimism via self-acceptance beliefs. REBT may offer a viable psychotherapeutic method to not only alleviate psychological distress, but also build positive emotion. Current findings may help to bridge the divide between the fields of positive psychology and clinical psychology.

Can the REBT theory explain loneliness? Theoretical and clinical applications

Loneliness is a common psychological experience affecting a significant minority of the general population. Loneliness may in part be related to the existence of dysfunctional cognitive evaluations. To date, however, loneliness has yet to be explicitly assessed within a cognitive-behavioural theoretical framework. The current study sought to determine the association between negative cognitions, within the context of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), and the experience of loneliness. A multinational sample of university students (n = 397) completed self-report assessments of rational and irrational beliefs, and loneliness. Structural equation modelling results found that the REBT model of psychopathology, and the REBT model of psychological health, provided satisfactory representations of loneliness, explaining 36% and 23% of variance in loneliness, respectively. Several dysfunctional (“Demandingness”, “Catastrophising” and “Self-Downing” beliefs) and functional (“Preferences” and “Self-Acceptance” beliefs) cognitions were directly and indirectly associated with loneliness. These results highlight that cognitions and loneliness are meaningfully related, and indicate that cognitive-behavioural models may be useful in understanding loneliness. More specifically, current results suggest that REBT may offer a viable psychotherapeutic approach to treating loneliness.

Gender Difference on Emotional Competence in Reference to CBT Intervention among Depressed Subjects

In a recent meta-analytical review, cognitive behavior therapy is found to be markedly effective in the treatment of depression (Cuijpers et al., 2013). Cognitive behavior therapy is also the most studied psychotherapy for depression and thus has the greatest weight of evidence. The cognitive behavior therapy of depression involves helping the client to recognize his/her negative automatic thoughts and images and then challenges them by monitoring their experience and associated emotional response. This leads to restore them with more rational and appropriate alternative interpretations of situations. In the presence of behavioural inactivation, the appropriate use of behavior techniques is crucial (Rehm, 1977). The behavioural task such as graded exercise may improve feeling of competency and mastery. Along with this, supervised introduction of pleasureable activities in clients' daily routine, it will improve over their hedonic capacity. Thereby breaking a negative behavioural cycle of depression.The present study has employed Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy model of CBT, which has a little distinctive perspective on emotional problems (Ellis, 1993). According to this perspective all major emotional problems such as anxiety and depression can be treated with the understanding that the very basis of all human disturbances is because of the tendency of making devout, absolutistic evaluations of perceived events that come in the form of dogmatic 'musts' or 'shoulds' (Ellis D Petrides & Fumham, 2003). To achieve and maintain a feeling of adequacy, the individual has to acquire a few workable assumptions about the world, where need for competence emerges as the most of the fundamental motive of life, because we survive through competence, grow through competence and actualize ourselves through competence (Allport, 1961).How an individual handles his emotions, whether competently or incompetently, would be a question of immense importance in explaining depression and growth of personality. Emotional competence as efficiency to deal effectively with several dissociable but related processes is a blending of five competencies (Coleman, 1970). Adequate Depth of Feeling, Adequate Expression and control of emotions, Ability to function with emotions, Ability to cope with problem emotions, Enhancement of positive emotions.Although we all experience emotions, we markedly differ in the way we process them. Some of us are able to identify our emotions, express them in a socially acceptable manner, and regulate them when they are inappropriate, others (especially depressive personality) have a hard time interpreting their emotions and seem, most of the time, overwhelmed by them.The influence of gender on experience of depression has been observed, and it has been reported that 21.3% of women and 12.7% of men will experience depression at sometime during their lives (Baron, 1998). Factors that predict depression in women include economic deprivation, preoccupation with failure, low self esteem, a sense of helplessness, a pessimistic attitude toward the world, and narcissistic vulnerability (Mayer &Deitsch, 1996).The present study attempts to explore the effect of CBT on emotional competence of depressed individuals with respect to gender. This study is concerned with the diagnosis and intervention for depressive individuals residing in Dehradun city. However, it attempts to cover the substantial proportion of people who present mild and moderate form of depression. …

“To Forgive is to be Sane and Realistic”: Contributions of REBT to the Psychology of Forgiving

Over the last 20 years, literature on the psychology of forgiving has burgeoned. Despite this, forgiveness literature from the rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) perspective has been rare. This is unfortunate, given the elegance of the REBT model and that Ellis touched favorably upon forgiving as far back as 1961. The REBT model is dialogued with the works of Enright and Fitzgibbons (Helping clients forgive. American Psychological Association, Washington, 2000; Forgiveness therapy. American Psychological Association, Washington, 2015) with reference to others. Among recommendations are: (1) using and researching REBT regarding forgiveness; (2) focusing on unforgiveness-reduction when clients cannot contemplate forgiving; (3) recognizing an “Acceptance continuum” of healthy responses from “non-forgiving” to “forgiving”; (4) considering use of REBT with combined unforgiveness and trauma, as well as exploring parallels between the two phenomena; (5) giving primacy to “Unconditional Self Acceptance (followed by Unconditional Life and Other Acceptance); and (6) complementing forgiveness outcomes studies with phenomenological research. The author concurs with Ellis and Harper (A guide to rational living. Wilshire Book Co., Hollywood, 1973/1961) that: “To err is human; to forgive is to be sane and realistic” (p. 111).

The Organization of Irrational Beliefs in Posttraumatic Stress Symptomology: Testing the Predictions of REBT Theory Using Structural Equation Modelling

This study directly tests a central prediction of rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) that has received little empirical attention regarding the core and intermediate beliefs in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. A theoretically consistent REBT model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was examined using structural equation modelling techniques among a sample of 313 trauma-exposed military and law enforcement personnel. The REBT model of PTSD provided a good fit of the data, χ(2) = 599.173, df = 356, p < .001; standardized root mean square residual = .05 (confidence interval = .04-.05); standardized root mean square residual = .04; comparative fit index = .95; Tucker Lewis index = .95. Results demonstrated that demandingness beliefs indirectly affected the various symptom groups of PTSD through a set of secondary irrational beliefs that include catastrophizing, low frustration tolerance, and depreciation beliefs. Results were consistent with the predictions of REBT theory and provides strong empirical support that the cognitive variables described by REBT theory are critical cognitive constructs in the prediction of PTSD symptomology.

Rational emotive behavior therapy: applications for working with parents and teachers

Given the high rates of reported emotional stress among parents and teachers, the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy approach appears to be a useful strategy to promote more effective parent and teacher emotional functioning and increase child positive behaviors and learning. The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy model may be helpful for clinicians who work with the parents and the family by identifying and subsequently changing their unhealthy ideas, enhancing emotional functioning, and increasing their ability to make effective behavior management decisions. In addition, those who work with educators in a school-based setting may wish to consider implementing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy methodology in their consultative and therapeutic interventions. Given the data that links stress to unhealthy beliefs among educators, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy may be an effective tool that warrants further application.

Priming irrational beliefs in recovered-depressed people.

Major depression has been linked with endorsement of irrational beliefs in cross-sectional research, consistent with the rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) model. In this study, the authors extended prior research by using multiple measures of irrationality and by comparing never-depressed (ND) controls with people who had recovered from major depression. Contrary to the REBT model, the recovered-depressed (RD) group did not significantly exceed the ND group in irrational beliefs before, during, or after exposure to simulated stressful situations. However, associations between irrationality and negative mood, and to a lesser extent between situation-specific irrationality and personality vulnerabilities, were obtained in the RD group but not in the ND group. These findings are consistent with the possibility that RD persons on average may be especially susceptible to having irrationality primed by negative mood states or by the important setbacks that can lead to such mood states.