Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

The effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy program on cognitive flexibility and separation anxiety in adolescents in foster care centers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Aida Ansari Gilvan 1
Soheila Baghaei 2
Mahtab Khansari 3
Reyhane Sayed Mirzaee 1
Maryam Emadi 4
1 Department of Personality Psychology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran.
3 Department of Personality Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
4 Department of Psychology, Arsenjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsenjan, Iran.
10.22038/JFMH.2025.83087.3175
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent living in care centers encounter various psychological and social difficulties that can increase their risk of developing issues like anxiety and behavioral disorders. This study aims to explore how a Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) program influences cognitive flexibility and separation anxiety in adolescents residing in care centers.
 
Materials and Methods: The study examined adolescents, both boys and girls, from welfare daycare centers in Tehran during the summer and fall of 2023. A total of 30 participants were selected using the convenient sampling method. Cognitive behavioral group therapy interventions were conducted over six sessions lasting 40 minutes each, once a week, separately for boys and girls in one of the centers offices for the experimental group. We used the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED) to collection data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, covariance analysis with repeated measures and the Kruskal-Wallis H test.
 
Results: There was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group after intervention in cognitive flexibility (P< 0.01). The separation anxiety in the experimental was significantly decreased compared to the control group in the post-test and follow-up stages (P< 0.01).
 
Conclusion: Based on the results, cognitive behavioral group therapy had a positive effect on improving cognitive flexibility and reducing separation anxiety in adolescents living in care centers.
Keywords
Adolescents
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive flexibility
Separation anxiety
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 3
May and June 2025
Pages 189-198