The influence of cognitive-behavioural stress management therapy on self-concept personality trait and negative emotions in women with Bulimia nervosa disorder

Background: The etiology of Bulimia nervosa disorder has not been determined yet. The somatic psychological problems need to be addressed in the treatment of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of cognitive-behavioural stress management training on self-concept personality trait and negative emotions in women with Bulimia nervosa disorder.

Methods: The subjects consisted of 50 patients with Bulimia nervosa disorder that were randomly assigned to experimental (25) and control (25) groups. The experimental group received group cognitive behavioural therapy. The BSCT and DASS tests were performed on both groups before and after treatment. The results were analysed by MANCOVA.

Results: In terms of self-concept, the results of pre-test and post-test in experimental group were (M: 53.44 and SD: 12.62) and (M:10.48 and SD:14.21), respectively, but for control group,  the results of pre-test and post-test were (M: 50.64 and SD: 13.72) and (M: 49.56 and SD:13.75), respectively. In the case of negative emotions; the findings of pre-test and post-test for experimental group were (M: 12.76 and SD: 4.06) and (M:12.08 and SD: 4.06), respectively. However, the results of pre-test and post-test for control group were (M: 27.24 and SD: 4.17), and (M: 26.36 and SD: 4.09), respectively. Within-group comparisons indicated, the pre-test results of self-concept (M: 53.44 and SD: 12.62) were higher than those of the post-test (M: 10.48 and SD:14.21), and the pre-test  results of negative emotions in experimental group (M:12.76 and SD:4.06) indicated a little change in the post-test (M:12.08 and SD: 4.06).

Conclusion: This study showed that cognitive-behavioural therapy is effective for increasing the self-concept and decreasing negative emotions in patients with Bulimia nervosa disorder (P<0.000).