Comparison of the Effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Social Adjustment and Post-Traumatic Stress in Individuals with Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome
Keywords:
Metacognitive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Social Adjustment, Post-Traumatic Stress, Cognitive-Attentional SyndromeAbstract
The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on social adjustment and post-traumatic stress in individuals diagnosed with Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome (CAS) in Tehran during 2023–2024. The sampling method used in this study was simple random sampling, and the research design was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest control group structure. The statistical population consisted of all individuals who referred to the counseling centers of the Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality and were screened as having Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome. A total of 45 participants were selected from this population. Following the completion of pretest questionnaires, two experimental groups participated in eight therapy sessions based on either Metacognitive Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while the control group received no training. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software and repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings indicated that Metacognitive Therapy, in comparison with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, led to greater improvement in social adjustment from pretest to posttest and follow-up. However, this result was not observed for post-traumatic stress. Both therapeutic approaches equally reduced post-traumatic stress in participants. The results demonstrated that both Metacognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy had favorable effects on improving social adjustment and reducing post-traumatic stress. Nonetheless, Metacognitive Therapy proved to be more effective in enhancing social adjustment among individuals with adjustment disorders. In contrast, no significant difference was observed between the two therapies in reducing post-traumatic stress, as both were equally effective.
Downloads
References
1. Salarian F, Homayouni AR, Sadeghi J. Predicting Social Adjustment in University Students based on Alexithymia and Psychological Vulnerability. Sociological Studies of Youth. 2019;10(35):97-106. doi: 10.22034/ssyj.2019.670247.
2. Öksüz EAUMS, Özcan CT. Childhood traumatic experiences, alexithymia, and resilience in patients with adjustment disorder. Gulhane Med Journal. 2018;60(3):97. doi: 10.26657/gulhane.00030.
3. Wells A. Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression: Arjmand; 2025.
4. Capobianco L, Nordahl H. A Brief History of Metacognitive Therapy: From Cognitive Science to Clinical Practice. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2021;30(1). doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.11.002.
5. Dragan M, Grajewski P. Did Cognitive Attentional Syndrome Symptoms Predict Stress- and Trauma-Related Symptoms in the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic? Results from a Two-Wave Study on a Sample of Polish Internet Users. Brain Sciences. 2023;13(8):1162. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13081162.
6. Leahy RL, Holland SJ, McGinn LK. Treatment plans and interventions for depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment plans and interventions for depression and anxiety disorders. Tehran: Arajmand Publications; 2023.
7. Halder S, Mahato AK. Cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents: Challenges and gaps in practice. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2019;41(3):279-83. doi: 10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_470_18.
8. Sadok BJ, Sadok VA, Roeiz P. Psychoanalysis of Behavioral Sciences - Clinical Psychiatry. Tehran: Arjmand; 2018. 86-97 p.
9. Fisher PL. Metacognitive therapy. In: Vol, editor. Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Overview and Approaches. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2021.
10. Wells A, Fisher P. Treating depression: MCT, CBT, and third wave therapies. Tehran: Arjamand Publication; 2015.
11. Normann N, Morina N. The Efficacy of Metacognitive Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 2018;9. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02211.
12. Buyukoksiz E, Giray G. Metacognitive therapy in post-traumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. Dusunem Adam-Journal of Psychiatry and Neurological Sciences. 2024;1. doi: 10.14744/DAJPNS.2024.00236.
13. Rauwenhoff JC, Hagen R, Karaliute M, Hjemdal O, Kennair LEO, Solem S. Metacognitive therapy for people experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: a preliminary multiple case-series study. Neurotrauma Reports. 2024;5(1):890-902. doi: 10.1089/neur.2024.0076.
14. Aini S, Nazar S, Ebadi M, Zeinalzadeh M. Development of structural equations of social adjustment of students with specific learning disabilities based on emotional non-disclosure and metacognitive beliefs and mediated by perceived social support. Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2022;23(11):62-77.
15. Khajepour L, Yousefi E, editors. Prognosis of adolescent individual-social adjustment based on metacognitive beliefs2017; Bandar Abbas.
16. Ghaderi F, Aghamohammadian Shirbaf H. The effectiveness of social emotional skills training on resilience and adjustment of male adolescent students in boarding schools. Journal of Educational Studies. 2018;11(2):71-87.
17. Mahvash AAUSP, Rezaei S, Asgari M. Cognitive emotion regulation training program on the social skills of students with hearing impairment. Journal of Middle East Gastroenterological Diseases. 2019;9:47.
18. Qadiri F, Aghamohamedian Shearbaf H. The effectiveness of social-emotional skills training on the resilience and adaptation of male adolescents who are students at boarding schools. Journal of Education and Learning Studies. 2018;11(2):71-87.
19. Khaleghi Z, Naseri A. The effectiveness of metacognitive therapy on learning styles and academic self-concept of secondary school girls in Jahrom. Pars Journal of Medical Sciences. 2024;22(1):69-78. doi: 10.22034/pjms.2024.2024799.1115.
20. Khaleghi, Naseri. The effectiveness of metacognitive therapy on learning styles and academic self-concept of female high school students in Jahrom city. Pars Journal of Medical Sciences. 2024;22(1):69-78.
21. Pashang S, Khoshlehje S. Comparison of the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and metacognitive therapy on reducing symptoms, psychological capital and quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019;29(2):181-90. doi: 10.29252/iau.29.2.181.
22. Paula J, Antônio José S. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), executive function and attachment. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicopatologia Fundamental. 2023;26. doi: 10.1590/1415-4714.e220529.
23. Sherwood A, Carydias EAUWC, Emerson DLM. The explanatory role of facets of dispositional mindfulness and negative beliefs about worry in anxiety symptoms. Personality and Individual Differences. 2020;160. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.109933.
24. Rawat AAUSN, Khan A, Faisal S, Chand A, Yousaf RA. Comparison of Metacognitive Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials. Cureus. 2023;15(5). doi: 10.7759/cureus.39252.
25. American Psychiatric A. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Arlington, (Va): American Psychiatric Association; 2022.
26. Motta RW. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Latest Developments in Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatments: BoD-Books on Demand; 2024.
27. Mohammadi L, Mohammadi Khani P, Dolatshahi B, Golzari M. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and its relationship with other disorders in 11 to 16-year-old adolescents in the Bam earthquake. Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (Iran). 2019:187-94.
28. Haryono R, Taukhit, Suyamto. The effect of meditation and murotal hearing combination therapy on reduction of stress and blood pressure in hypertension. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health. 2020;7(9):3343. doi: 10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20203890.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Hamidreza Ansari Sadrabadi (Author); Mohsen Razani ; Hassan Piriaie, Sara Saedi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
