The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Group Therapy in Reducing Negative Automatic Thoughts and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy (MBCT) in reducing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes in cancer patients. Methods: The study was an applied and quasi-experimental research conducted by pre-and post-testing. The sample consisted of 30 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling and randomly placed in the control and the experimental group (15 individuals per group). The members of both groups filled out the automatic thoughts questionnaire (ATQ) and the dysfunctional attitudes scale (DAS-26) at the pre-and the post-test stage. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) tests. Results:The results indicated that MBCT significantly reduced negative automatic thoughts (F = 126.15, P < 0.01) and dysfunctional attitudes (F = 179.53, P < 0.01) in the experimental group at the post-test stage in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is essential that therapeutic centers and support forums related to patients with refractory disorders use MBCT in their programs for reducing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes.

From Self-Esteem to Selflessness: An Evidence (Gap) Map of Self-Related Processes as Mechanisms of Mindfulness-Based Interventions

“…A number of RCTs investigated the impact of MBIs on dysfunctional attitudes, with all studies showing positive findings. These include RCTs of standard MBCT in a variety of adult samples with physical health problems, including cancer ( Mehdipour et al, 2017 ), hypertension ( Hasanzade and Khalatbari, 2017 ), and fertility problems ( Ebrahimi et al, 2019 ). One study ( Kaviani et al, 2012 ) found greater reductions in dysfunctional attitudes in MBCT compared to an inactive control ( d = 0.32 immediately following the 8-week intervention; d = 0.65 and 0.79 at 13 and 34 week follow-up, respectively).…”

“…No systematic reviews or meta-analyses have examined MBIs’ impact on negative automatic thoughts. MBIs led to reduced negative automatic thoughts in RCTs with college students ( Kaviani et al, 2012 ), patients with cancer ( Mehdipour et al, 2017 ) and, clinically depressed adults ( Hofheinz et al, 2020 ). Yet, more research is needed to validate how engagement of negative automatic thoughts might lead to beneficial outcomes, such as improved psychological states.…”

Effectiveness of the Cognitive Restructuring Approach on Irrational Beliefs and Hopelessness in Individuals With a Substance Abuse Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…16 In a study examined the effectiveness of cognitive reconstruction on the recurrence rate of smokers and concluded that cognitive reconstruction has been effective in preventing them from re-smoking and maintaining their purity. 17 Also, the results of Tabatabaei et al 11 showed that cognitive-behavioral group therapy is effective in reducing the irrational beliefs of addicts and changes their positive attitude towards drug abuse.…”

Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Have Effects Only on Negative Aspects of Psychological Functioning? A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…MBIs have been shown to be very beneficial in terms of psychological outcomes (Khoury et al, 2015) on stress (Nyklíček & Kuijpers, 2008;Raab et al, 2015;van Wietmarschen et al, 2018) and negative affectivity, such as anxiety (Antoine, Andreotti, et al, 2018) or depressive states (Goyal et al, 2014). Most studies have shown beneficial effects on negative automatic thoughts (Frewen et al, 2008;Mehdipour et al, 2017) about the world or oneself, selfcriticism (Halamová et al, 2018), rumination, and difficulties with emotional regulation more generally (Brockman et al, 2017;De Vibe et al, 2018;Lindsay et al, 2018). In addition, compared with classic mindfulness interventions, selfhelp programs have shown very similar and important benefits for psychological outcomes (Antoine, Andreotti, et al, 2018;Congard et al, 2019;Halamová et al, 2018;Spijkerman et al, 2016).…”

“…Negative thoughts are classic targets of cognitive interventions, including MBCT (e.g., Frewen et al, 2008;Mehdipour et al, 2017). Patients are trained to become aware of their automatic negative thoughts and to identify their influence on their emotional states to avoid being taken over by cognitive bias or ruminations, thus facilitating more positive thoughts and a more balanced cognitive system (Diener et al, 2009).…”