Effects of rational-emotive therapy, rational role reversal, and rational-emotive imagery on the emotional adjustment of community mental health center patients.

Abstract

This clinical outcome study compared three rational-emotive therapy (RET) conditions with a realistic alternate treatment (relaxation training and support) and with no contact. The efficacy of RET alone, or RET in combination with either rational role reversal or rational-emotive imagery, was examined. Fifty male and female adult outpatients were assigned to one of five treatment groups and were then further divided into a higher or lower IQ condition within each group. The dependent variables, administered before and after 12 treatment sessions, included measures of rational thinking, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism. Results showed that RET, particularly with the addition of rational role reversal or rational-emotive imagery, produced significantly better results than did relaxation training and support or no contact. These findings are discussed as being particularly important, since this is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of RET with a sample of multisymptomatic applicants to a community mental health center. Further research to find the critical elements in RET, using actual patient populations, is suggested.

Rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and medication in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomized clinical trial, posttreatment outcomes, and six‐month follow‐up

“…Rational emotive behavior therapy has usually fared well compared to minimal treatment controls and alternative interventions in the treatment of depression (Engels, Garnefsky, & Diekstra, 1993;Lyons & Woods, 1991). It has typically proven superior to no treatment or waiting list controls in the treatment of depression in college populations (Fosterling, 1985), life problems-related depression in the normal population (i.e., divorce-related depression; Malouff, Lanyon, & Schutte, 1988), depressive symptoms in various subclinical and clinical contexts (depression in individuals with the following other diagnoses: obsessive-compulsive disorder; Emmelkamp, Visser, & Hoekstra, 1988;conduct disorder;Fava, Bless, Otto, Pava, & Rosenbaum, 1994;Morse, Bernard, & Dennerstein, 1989; self-esteem-related depression; Warren, McLellarn, & Ponzoha, 1988), Christian depressed clients (Johnson, & Ridley, 1992;Johnson, Devries, & Ridley, 1994), multisymptomatic patients (Lipsky, Kassinove, & Miller, 1980), retired clients (Caraway & Hayslip, 1985), and clinical depression (Kelly, 1982). Taken as a whole, these findings appear to provide a rather impressive support for the efficacy of REBT in the treatment of depression.…”

Irrational Beliefs in Employees with an Adjustment, a Depressive, or an Anxiety Disorder: a Prospective Cohort Study

“…1985), obsessive–compulsive disorder (Emmelkamp and Beens 1991) and a mixed population of neurotic disorders (Lipsky et al. 1980). However, these studies had fairly small sample sizes (ranging from 31 to 50 patients).…”

Components of rational-emotive imagery: Two experiments with nonassertive students

“…A limitation of this study was that only 11 test-anxious students participated. In a study with Community Mental Health Center clients, Lipsky, Kassinove, and Miller (1980) evaluated the effectiveness of RET, RET plus REI, and RET plus rational role reversal (RRR). Control conditions were relaxation training plus support and a no-contact group.…”