The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy on coping self-efficacy and emotional reactivity among victims with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affected by explosive incidents in Kabul

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of psychology, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that victims of traumatic events such as war and violence exhibit undesirable levels of emotional reactivity and coping with difficulties. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on coping self-efficacy, emotional reactivity among victims with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affected by explosive incidents in Kabul.

Method: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population included men aged 20 to 40 residing in Kabul who exhibited clinical symptoms of PTSD due to direct exposure to war-related events. A total of 24 participants were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (12 participants in each group). The experimental group received 15 sessions of 1 to 2 hours Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy intervention, while the control group received no intervention. Research tools included the PTSD Symptom Scale by Foa(1997), the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale by Chesney(2006), and the Emotional Reactivity Scale by Nock(2008). Data were analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

Results: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the intervention group showed a significant reduction in the total score and components of emotional reactivity (sensitivity, intensity, and persistence) compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the components of coping self-efficacy (problem-focused strategy, negative thought cessation, and social support seeking) (p<0.001).

Discussion and Conclusion: The findings confirm the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in improving psychological outcomes resulting from war-related trauma in the affected Afghan population. These results emphasize the necessity of expanding evidence-based therapeutic services within this context.

Keywords

Clinical Psychology and Personality

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 May 2025

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