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Volume 24, Issue 152 (10-2025)                   Journal of Psychological Science 2025, 24(152): 101-115 | Back to browse issues page


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fattahi S, hatami M, sepah mansour M, barghi irani Z. (2025). The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Reducing Cyberchondria Symptoms in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Tehran**. Journal of Psychological Science. 24(152), 101-115. doi:10.61186/jps.24.152.101
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2770-en.html
Department of Clinical Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran. , Hatami513@gmail.com
Abstract:   (948 Views)
Background: Various studies have shown cyberchondria is a treatable anxiety disorder and its symptoms in patients with diabetes can also be reduced with psychological interventions. Among the common treatments for anxiety disorders is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. There is a research gap regarding its effectiveness in reducing cyberchondria symptoms among patients with diabetes.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy on reducing cyberchondria symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes in Tehran.
Methods: The method of this study was a semi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and control group and a one-month follow-up. The statistical population of the study included all patients with type 2 diabetes in medical centers in Tehran (Tehran Diabetes Association and Niavaran Diabetes Center) (589 people). To select the statistical sample, 30 people were selected using purposeful sampling and randomly assigned to two groups (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (McElroy & Shevlin, 2014) was used to collect data. Also, 8 sessions, 90 minutes each of the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy protocol (Willson & Branch, 2019; Bourne, 2011) were held for the experimental group members. For data analysis, the Analysis of variance within-subjects –between-subjects design and SPSS-20 software were used.
Results: The results showed that Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy was effective in reducing all components of cyberchondria in the experimental group (P< 0.001), and this reduction was maintained in the follow-up phase (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it is suggested that health psychologists use Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy to reducing symptoms and therapy health anxiety, especially in people with cyberchondria.

 
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2024/12/31 | Accepted: 2025/03/5 | Published: 2025/11/6

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