REBT Integration in Public and Private Outpatient Settings during COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from Indonesia

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate how rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) works in Indonesian outpatient settings, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated depression, anxiety, and sleep among 60 Atma Jaya Hospital patients (public and private) using several assessment tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PSQI). The majority of participants were under 40 (53.3%), female (58.3%), married (56.6%), and working formally (65%), with either high school or diploma/bachelor’s level education (86.6%). After six REBT therapy sessions, significant improvements were evident in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality scores (p < 0.001). Participants showed improvements in anxiety and depression during the third and sixth sessions; and in sleep quality during the sixth session. These findings suggest that REBT-based interventions are effective in public and private outpatient settings, highlighting the importance of psychotherapy and cross-division collaboration in the Indonesian healthcare system.