Comparing the effectiveness of positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy on differentiation of self and health anxiety in diabetic patients

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student, Department of Psychology, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

2 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Gorgan branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Behshahr, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.85782.3211

Abstract

Introduction: Differentiation of self and health anxiety are factors that play a significant role in diabetic patients. Therefore, the present study aims to compare the effectiveness of positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy on differentiation of self and health anxiety in diabetic patients.
 
Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this clinical trial included all patients with diabetes who were referred to the Vanoshe Diabetes Clinic in Qaemshahr city, Iran, in 2020-2021. Forty-five patients with diabetes were selected using accessible sampling and randomly assigned to 3 equal groups. The first and second experimental groups received therapy interventions in 6 and 8 sessions, and the control group was on the waiting list. The research instruments included the differentiation of self-questionnaire and health anxiety inventory. The obtained data were analyzed using a repeated measure of variance analysis and Bonferroni post hoc test with  SPSS 22.
 
Results: The findings showed that both therapy interventions reduced differentiation of self and health anxiety in patients with diabetes, and the effect of these therapeutic interventions in the follow-up phase has been stable (P< 0.05). Also, the Bonferroni post hoc test results showed that the effectiveness of positive thinking skills training intervention on research variables was higher (P< 0.05).
 
Conclusion: Based on the findings, positive thinking skills training and behavioral activation therapy interventions can effectively improve the differentiation and health anxiety of patients with diabetes.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 277-285

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