The Effectiveness of Unified Transdiagnostic Therapy on Experiential Avoidance, Cognitive Fusion, and Self-Conscious Emotions in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
نویسندگان
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran.
2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
5 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran.
doi
10.30483/rjm.2026.254722.1486چکیده
Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts and maladaptive emotional responses that significantly impair daily functioning.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Unified Transdiagnostic Therapy (UTT) in reducing experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and self-conscious emotions in patients diagnosed with OCD.Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and control group was employed. The statistical population comprised 65 patients referred to psychological clinics and medical centers in Ardabil City in 2024. From this population, 36 patients diagnosed with OCD were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 18) or control (n = 18) group. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of UTT. Data were collected using the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Questionnaire (OCDQ), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), and the Test of Self-Conscious Affect (TOSCA-3). Statistical analyses were conducted using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 27.Results: The findings demonstrated that UTT significantly reduces experiential avoidance (F = 86.36, η² = 0.74), cognitive fusion (F = 81.91, η² = 0.73), shame (F = 65.92, η² = 0.68), and guilt (F = 76.21, η² = 0.72) in patients with OCD (P < 0.01).Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of UTT as a transdiagnostic intervention for ameliorating the maladaptive cognitive and emotional processes prevalent in OCD. By fostering enhanced psychological flexibility and emotional regulation, UTT constitutes a viable and practical therapeutic option. These findings support the broader application of transdiagnostic approaches in targeting the fundamental mechanisms underpinning a range of emotional disorders.
