Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Mark Terjesen

Second Advisor

Raymond DiGiuseppe

Third Advisor

Melissa Peckins

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanisms of change in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a treatment developed by Albert Ellis that posits irrational beliefs contribute to emotional and behavioral distress. Prior research has shown REBT’s effectiveness, but the specific mechanisms remain underexplored. This research uses meta-analytic data to examine changes in irrational beliefs and their relationship to changes in emotions, behaviors and automatic thoughts. A moderately strong relationship was found in therapeutic intervention groups between changes in irrational beliefs and changes in emotions/behaviors. A similar relationship was found when looking at the long-term impact of changing irrational beliefs on emotional and behavioral outcomes. No significant differences were found between REBT and alternate treatment groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found between changes in irrational beliefs and changes in automatic thoughts, or between the relationships of clinical outcomes in adults and children. Limitations and implications of the current findings are discussed, as well as future directions to better understand the mechanisms within REBT.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS