Comparison of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Anxiety and Obsessive Beliefs in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Authors

    Shabnam Niknejad * MA, Department of General Psychology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 0067452736@iran.ir
    Fahimeh Ghasemi MA, Department of General Psychology, Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
    Mitra Torkashvand MA, Career Counseling Department, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Keywords:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Obsessive Beliefs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on anxiety and obsessive beliefs in individuals with OCD. This was a quasi-experimental study using a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of male students with OCD in lower and upper secondary schools in District 14 of Tehran in 2025. From this population, 45 individuals were selected through convenient and purposive sampling, screened, and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data collection instruments included the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI; 1977), the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-44), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; 1988). In the experimental groups, CBT and DBT intervention packages were respectively administered. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and mixed multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results indicated that both CBT and DBT led to significant reductions in anxiety (F = 39.23) and obsessive beliefs (F = 398.024) in individuals with OCD compared to the control group (MD = -8.2 and -10.06 for obsessive beliefs, MD = -11.13 and -11.33 for anxiety; p < .05). Moreover, DBT was found to be more effective than CBT in reducing obsessive beliefs (MD = 1.86; p < .05). Both CBT and DBT interventions were effective in reducing anxiety and obsessive beliefs in individuals with OCD. Given their demonstrated efficacy, these therapeutic approaches can be utilized as effective short- and long-term psychological interventions to reduce anxiety and obsessive beliefs.

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Published

2025-10-01

Submitted

2025-01-01

Revised

2025-02-18

Accepted

2025-02-25

Issue

Vol. 3 (2025): Serial Number 5

Section

Developmental Psychology

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Copyright (c) 2025 Shabnam Niknejad (Corresponding Author); Fahimeh Ghasemi , Mitra Torkashvand (Author)

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How to Cite

Niknejad, S., Ghasemi , F. ., & Torkashvand , M. . (2025). Comparison of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Anxiety and Obsessive Beliefs in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus, 3, 1-9. https://www.journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/psychnexus/article/view/4142