Comparing the efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in extreme responsibility and clinical symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD. student of counseling, Department of Psychology, Bojnord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnord, Iran.

2 Department of Psychology, TeMS.C.,Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Bojnord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnord, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.85245.3205

Abstract

Introduction: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental health condition. Two therapeutic approaches for treating OCD are Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The aim of the present study was to compare these therapies on extreme responsibility and clinical symptoms in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
 
Materials and Methods: The statistical population consisted of those who referred to Arteman Psychological Center in Mashhad, Iran, in 2022, with diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The sample included 45 people who were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three equal groups: dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and control group. We used structured clinical interview to diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCAI), and California accountability questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc tests.
 
Results: The data analysis showed that both dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy reduced the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (P< 0.001), and extreme responsibility (P< 0.001). While, cognitive behavioral therapy was more effective than dialectical behavior therapy (P< 0.001).
 
Conclusion: These results indicate the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to reduce clinical symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and both treatments are promising as evidence-based interventions for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 5
September and October 2025
Pages 287-293

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