The Effect of Mobile Application-Supported Rational Belief Education Program on Rational and Irrational Beliefs of University Students

Öz

Today, Rational Emotive-Behavior Therapy (REBT) continues to be a widely used and effective approach in psychological counseling and psychotherapy. The focus of REBT involves helping individuals reach healthy emotions and functional behaviors by changing their way of thinking through both individual and group psychological help and psychoeducation. Integrating technological advances into psychological counseling and psychotherapy practices has expanded the application areas of REBT. In particular, mobile application-based studies facilitate access to psychological counseling and psychotherapy and enable individuals to participate more actively in therapy processes. New mobile application-based approaches can increase individuals’ access to self-help tools and enable them to apply therapy processes more integrated into their daily lives. There are limited studies on the effectiveness of mobile applications based on REBT. Moreover, despite the increasing literature, research on rational beliefs has been neglected. This study examines the effect of a mobile application-supported rational belief education program (MARBEP) on university students’ and irrational beliefs. A quasi-experimental design was employed, incorporating both the intervention and control groups. This design featured pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements to assess the effects of the intervention over time. The study included a total of 32 university students, with sixteen participants allocated to the intervention group and another sixteen to the control group. The intervention group received an 8-session intervention program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Fourteen participants from each group completed all the measurements. The research findings demonstrated a significant decrease in irrational beliefs within the intervention group, alongside a significant increase in their rational beliefs. Furthermore, the 4-week follow-up measurements indicated that the observed changes were ongoing. In contrast, no significant changes were identified in the control group. The outcomes of this study were analyzed in conjunction with the literature, leading to the development of a series of recommendations informed by the findings.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Rational belief
• irrational belief
• mobile application
• intervention

Mobil Uygulama Destekli Akılcı Düşünme Eğitim Programının Üniversite Ögrencilerinin Akılcı ve Akılcı Olmayan Düşüncelerine Etkisi

Öz

Günümüzde psikolojik danışma ve psikoterapi alanında akılcı duygusal davranış terapisi (ADDT) yaygın bir şekilde kullanılan etkili bir yaklaşım olarak dikkati çekmektedir. ADDT’deki odak hem bireysel hem de grupla sürdürülen psikolojik yardım ve psikoegitimlerde bireylerin düşünce biçimlerini değiştirerek sağlıklı duygu ve işlevsel davranışlara ulaşmalarına yardımcı olmaktır. Günümüzde, teknolojik gelişmelerin psikolojik danışma ve psikoterapi uygulamalarına entegrasyonu, ADDT’nin uygulama alanlarını genişletmiştir. Özellikle mobil uygulama tabanlı çalışmalar, psikolojik danışma ve psikoterapiye erişimi kolaylaştırmakta ve bireylerin yardım süreçlerine daha aktif katılımını sağlamaktadır. Mobil uygulama temelli yeni yaklaşımlar, bireylerin kendi kendine yardım araçlarına erişimini artırarak, terapi süreçlerini günlük yaşamlarına daha entegre bir şekilde uygulamalarına olanak tanıma potansiyeline sahiptir. ADDT temelli mobil uygulamaların etkililiği üzerine sınırlı sayıda araştırma bulunmaktadır. Üstelik artan alanyazına rağmen akılcı düşüncelere yönelik araştırmalara yeterince yer verilmediği görülmektedir. Bu araştırma, mobil uygulama destekli akılcı düşünme eğitim programının üniversite öğrencilerinin akılcı ve akılcı olmayan düşünceleri üzerindeki etkisini incelemektedir. Bu çalışmada deney ve kontrol gruplarından oluşan yarı deneysel tasarım kullanılmıştır. Bu tasarım, müdahalenin zaman içindeki etkilerini değerlendirmek için ön test, son test ve izleme ölçümlerinden oluşmaktadır. Araştırmaya 32 üniversite öğrencisi (16’sı deney, 16’sı kontrol grubunda) katılmıştır. Deney grubunda sekiz oturumdan oluşan müdahale programı yürütülürken, kontrol grubunda herhangi bir program uygulanmamıştır. Her iki gruptan da 14’er katılımcı tüm ölçümleri tamamlamıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, deney grubunun akılcı olmayan düşüncelerinin anlamlı düzeyde azaldığını ve akılcı düşüncelerinin anlamlı düzeyde arttığını göstermiştir. Üstelik, 4-haftalık izleme ölçümleri deney grubundaki değişimin devam ettiğini göstermiştir. Kontrol grubunda ise anlamlı düzeyde bir değişim saptanmamıştır. Araştırma sonuçları alanyazın çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiş ve sonuçlardan yola çıkılarak bir dizi öneri geliştirilmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Akılcı düşünce
• akılcı olmayan düşünce
• mobil uygulama
• müdahale

Kaynakça

1. Abbott, D., Lack, C. W. ve Anderson, P. (2023). Does using a mindfulness app reduce anxiety and worry? A randomized-controlled trial. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 37(1), 26-42. https://doi.org/10.1891/JCPSY-D-20-00058 google scholar
2. Arnett, J. J., Zukauskiene, R. ve Sugimura, K. (2014). The new life stage of emerging adulthood at ages 18-29 years: Implications for mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(7), 569-576. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00080-7 google scholar
3. Arshad, U., Gauntlett, J., Husain, N., Chaudhry, N. ve Taylor, P. J. (2020). A systematic review of the evidence supporting mobile and internet-based psychological interventions for self-harm. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 50(1), 151-179. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12583 google scholar
4. Artıran, M. ve DiGiuseppe, R. (2022). Rational emotive behavior therapy compared to client-centered therapy for outpatients: A randomized clinical trial with a three months follow up. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 40(2), 206-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10942-021-00408-0 google scholar
5. Becker, D. A. (2022). Using mobile mental health apps: An overview. Journal of Electronic Resources in Medical Libraries, 19(3), 107-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/15424065.2022.2113351 google scholar
6. Bernard, M. E. (2011). Rationality and the pursuit of happiness: The legacy of Albert Ellis. John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
7. Boettcher, J., Magnusson, K., Marklund, A., Berglund, E., Blomdahl, R., Braun, U., Delin, L., Lunden, C., Sjöblom, K., Sommer, D., von Weber, K., Andersson, G. ve Carlbring, P. (2018). Adding a smartphone app to internet-based self-help for social anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Computer in Human Behavior, 87, 98-108. https://doi.Org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.04.052 google scholar
8. Bunnell, B. E., Nemeth, L. S., Lenert, L. A., Kazantzis, N., Deblinger, E., Higgins, K. A. ve Ruggiero, K. J. (2021). Barriers associated with the implementation of homework in youth mental health treatment and potential mobile health solutions. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 45(2), 272-286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020- 10090-8 google scholar

9. Bush, N. E., Smolenski, D. J., Denneson, L. M., Williams, H. B., Thomas, E. K. ve Dobscha, S. K. (2017). A virtual hope box: Randomized controlled trial of a smartphone app for emotional regulation and coping with distress. Psychiatric Services, 68(4), 330-336. https://doi.org/10. 1176/appi.ps.201600283 google scholar
10. Callan, J. A., Dunbar Jacob, J., Siegle, G. J., Dey, A., Thase, M. E., DeVito Dabbs, A., Kazantzis, N., Rotondi, A., Tamres, L., Van Slyke, A. ve Sereika, S. (2021). CBT MobileWork©: User-centered development and testing of a mobile mental health application for depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 45, 287-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020- 10159-4 google scholar
11. Can, A. (2014). SPSS ile bilimsel araştırma sürecinde nicel veri analizi. Pegem. google scholar
12. Caruso, C., Angelone, L., Abbate, E., lonni, V., Biondi, C., Di Agostino, C., Mobili, A., Verita, R., Navarra, R., Ruggiero, G. M. ve Mezzaluna, C. (2018). Effects of a REBT based training on children and teachers in primary school. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 36, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-017-0270-6 google scholar
13. Corey, M. S., Corey, G. ve Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. google scholar
14. Crompton, H. ve Burke, D. (2018). The use of mobile learning in higher education: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 123, 53-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.04.007 google scholar
15. Cunningham, R., ve Turner, M. J. (2016). Using rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) with mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes to reduce irrational beliefs and increase unconditional self-acceptance. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34(4), 289-309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-016-0240-4 google scholar
16. Çivitci, A. (2020). Grup psikoeğitimi (3. Baskı). Pegem. google scholar
17. David, D., Cotet, C., Matu, S., Mogoase, C. ve Stefan, S. (2018). 50 years of rational-emotive and cognitive-behavioral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(3), 304-318. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22514 google scholar
18. David, D., Szentagotai, A., Lupu, V. ve Cosman, D. (2008). Rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and medication in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial, posttreatment outcomes, and six-month followup. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 728-746. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20487 google scholar
19. David, O. A. (2019). The Rational Parenting Coach App: Rethink parenting! a mobile parenting program for offering evidence-based personalized support in the prevention of child externalizing and internalizing disorders. Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, 19(2), 97-108. https: //doi.org/10.24193/jebp.2019.2.1 google scholar
20. David, O. A. ve David, D. (2019). Managing distress using mobile prescriptions of psychological pills: A first 6-month effectiveness study of the PsyPills app. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 201. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00201 google scholar
21. DiGiuseppe, R. (1996). The nature of irrational and rational beliefs: Progress in rational emotive behavior theory. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 14(1), 5-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02238091 google scholar
22. DiGiuseppe, R. A., Doyle, K. A., Dryden, W. ve Backx, W. (2013). A practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive behavior therapy. Oxford University. google scholar
23. Dryden, W. (1983). Vivid RET II: Disputing methods. Journal of Rational Emotive Therapy, 1(1), 9-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02285752 google scholar
24. Dryden, W. (1994). Reason and emotion in psychotherapy: Thirty years on. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cogntive-Behavior Therapy, 12(2), 83-99. https://doi.org/10.1007/ BF02354606 google scholar
25. Dryden, W. (2006). First steps in REBT: A guide to practicing REBT in peer counseling. Albert Ellis Institute. google scholar
26. Dryden, W. (2013). On rational beliefs in rational emotive behavior therapy: A theoretical perspective. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 31(1), 39-48. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s10942-012-0158-4 google scholar
27. Dryden, W. ve Branch, R. (2008). Fundamentals of rational emotive behaviour therapy: A training handbook. John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
28. Düşmez, İ. (2013). Akılcı duygusal davranışçı yaklaşıma dayalı akademik erteleme davranışını önleme eğitim programının üniversite öğrencilerinin akademik erteleme davranışları üzerine etkisi [Yayımlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi]. Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi. google scholar
29. El-Hachem, S. S., Lakkis, N. A., Osman, M. H., Issa, H. G. ve Beshara, R. Y. (2023). University students’ intentions to seek psychological counseling, attitudes toward seeking psychological help, and stigma. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 45, 18-37. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s00127-023-02470-8 google scholar
30. Ellis, A. (1984). Expanding the ABCs of RET. Journal of Rational Emotive Therapy, 2(2), 20-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02281207 google scholar
31. Ellis, A. (1994). Rational emotive behavior therapy approaches to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 12(2), 121-141. https: //doi.org/10.1007/BF02354608 google scholar
32. Ellis, A., David, D. ve Lynn, S. J. (2010). A historical and conceptual perspective. A. Ellis, D. David ve S. J. Lynn (Ed.), Rational and irrational beliefs içinde (s. 3-22). Oxford University. google scholar
33. Goss-Sampson, M. A. (2019). Statistical analysis in JASP: A guide for students. https://jasp-stats.org/ wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Statistical-Analysis-in-JASP-A-Students-Guide-v14-Nov2020. pdf google scholar
34. Greer, J. A., Jacobs, J., Pensak, N., MacDonald, J. J., Fuh, C. X., Perez, G. K., Ward, A., Tallen, C., Muzikansky, A., Traeger, L., Penedo, F. J., El-Jawahri, A., Safren, S. A., Pirl, W. F. ve Temel, J. S. (2019). Randomized trial of a tailored cognitive-behavioral therapy mobile application for anxiety in patients with incurable cancer. The Oncologist, 24(8), 1111-1120. https://doi.org/10. 1634/theoncologist.2018-0536 google scholar
35. Hickey, M. ve Doyle, K. (2018). Rational emotive behavior therapy. A. Vernon ve K. A. Doyle (Ed.), Cognitive behavior therapies: A guidebook for practitioners içinde (s. 109-142). American Counseling Association. google scholar
36. Hur, J. W., Kim, B., Park, D. ve Choi, S. W. (2018). A scenario-based cognitive behavioral therapy mobile app to reduce dysfunctional beliefs in individuals with depression: A randomized controlled trial. Telemedicine and e-Health, 24(9), 710-716. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2017. 0214 google scholar
37. Jaques, D. ve Salmon, G. (2007). Learning in groups: A handbook for face-to-face and online environments (4th ed.). Routledge. google scholar
38. Kabadayı, F. ve Güven, M. (2022). Akılcı duygusal davranış terapisine dayalı müdahale çalışmalarının incelenmesi: Sistematik bir derleme. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 20(2), 517-540. https://doi. org/10.37217/tebd.1052844 google scholar
39. Kabadayı, F. ve Güven, M. (2023). Psikolojik yardım hizmetlerindeki mobil uygulamalarla ilgili bir inceleme. Türk Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 21(3), 1660-1689. https://doi.org/10.37217/tebd. 1291285 google scholar
40. Kabadayı, F. ve Güven, M. (2024). Üniversite öğrencileri için Akılcı ve Akılcı Olmayan Düşünceler Ölçeğinin geliştirilmesi. Klinik ve Ruh Sağlığı Psikolojik Danışmanlığı Dergisi, 4(1), 1-24. google scholar
41. Kabadayı, F. ve Yüksel, G. (2021). Rational-emotive behavior therapy for dysfunctional anger: A case study. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 39(4), 522-537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-020-00384-x google scholar
42. Kacur, M. ve Atak, M. (2011). Üniversite öğrencilerinin sorun alanları ve sorunlarla baş etme yolları: Erciyes Üniversitesi örneği. Erciyes Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 1(31), 273-297. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/erusosbilder/issue/23765/253325 google scholar
43. Kara, E., Türküm, A. S. ve Turner, M. J. (2023). The effects of rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) group counselling program on competitive anxiety of student-athletes. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 41, 362-379. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10942-023-00497-z google scholar
44. Kartol, A. (2018). Akılcı duygusal davranışçı terapi temelli grupla psikolojik danışma uygulamasının ergenlerin depresyon ve anksiyete belirtileri üzerindeki etkisinin incelenmesi [Yayınlanmamış Doktora Tezi]. Atatürk Üniversitesi. google scholar
45. Koffel, E., Kuhn, E., Petsoulis, N., Erbes, C. R., Anders, S., Hoffman, J. E., Ruzek, J. I. ve Polusny, M. A. (2018). A randomized controlled pilot study of CBT-I Coach: Feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a mobile phone application for patients in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Health Informatics Journal, 24(1), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458216656472 google scholar
46. Leech, N. L., Barrett, K. C. ve Morgan, G. A. (2014). IBM SPSS for intermediate statistics: Use and interpretation. Routledge. google scholar
47. Lüdtke, T., Pult, L. K., Schröder, J., Moritz, S. ve Bücker, L. (2018). A randomized controlled trial on a smartphone self-help application (Be Good to Yourself) to reduce depressive symptoms. Psychiatry Research, 269, 753-762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.08.113 google scholar
48. Matin, A., Looyeh, M. Y., Afrooz, G. A. ve Dezhkam, M. (2012). The effect of group rational emotive behavior restructuring on mental health of parents of exceptional children. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 46, 1872-1875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.394 google scholar
49. Molloy, A. ve Anderson, P. L. (2022). Increasing acceptability and outcome expectancy for internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine and e-Health, 28(6), 888-895. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2021.0393 google scholar
50. Namle, S., Ghapanchi, A. H. ve Amrollahi, A. (2016). Information and communication technology for mental health: A systematic literature review. Encyclopedia of E-health and telemedicine, 606-618. https://doi.org/10.4018/978- 1-4666-9978-6.ch047 google scholar
51. Neenan, M. ve Dryden, W. (2021). Cognitive behaviour therapy: 100 key points and techniques (3rd ed.). Routledge. google scholar
52. Oltean, H. R. ve David, D. O. (2018). A meta-analysis of the relationship between rational beliefs and psychological distress. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(6), 883-895. https://doi.org/10. 1002/jclp.22562 google scholar
53. Oltean, H. R., Hyland, P., Vallieres, F. ve David, D. O. (2019). Rational beliefs, happiness and optimism: An empirical assessment of REBT’s model of psychological health. International Journal of Psychology, 54(4), 495-500. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12492 google scholar
54. O’Toole, M. S., Arendt, M. B. ve Pedersen, C. M. (2019). Testing an app-assisted treatment for suicide prevention in a randomized controlled trial: Effects on suicide risk and depression. Behavior Therapy, 50(2), 421-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2018.07.007 google scholar
55. Pallant, J. (2016). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS (6th ed.). Routledge. google scholar
56. Rathbone, A. L., Clarry, L. ve Prescott, J. (2017). Assessing the efficacy of mobile health apps using the basic principles of cognitive behavioral therapy: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11), e399. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8598 google scholar
57. Rezaeisharif, A., Karimi, A. ve Naeim, M. (2021). Effectiveness of the cognitive restructuring approach on irrational beliefs and hopelessness in individuals with a substance abuse disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Addictive Disorders & Their Treatment, 20(4), 326-335. https: //doi.org/10.1097/ADT.0000000000000264 google scholar
58. Schueller, S. M. ve Torous, J. (2020). Scaling evidence-based treatments through digital mental health. American Psychologist, 75(8), 1093-1104. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000654 google scholar
59. Stallard, P., Porter, J. ve Grist, R. (2018). A smartphone app (BlueIce) for young people who self-harm: Open phase 1 pre-post trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(1), e32. https://doi.org/ 10.2196/mhealth.8917 google scholar
60. Turner, M. J. (2016). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), irrational and rational beliefs, and the mental health of athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1423. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg. 2016.01423 google scholar
61. Turner, M. ve Barker, J. B. (2013). Examining the efficacy of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on irrational beliefs and anxiety in elite youth cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25(1), 131-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2011.574311 google scholar
62. Turner, M. J., Ewen, D. ve Barker, J. B. (2020). An idiographic single-case study examining the use of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) with three amateur golfers to alleviate social anxiety. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(2), 186-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2018. 1496186 google scholar
63. Turner, M. J., Slater, M. J. ve Barker, J. B. (2014). Not the end of the world: The effects of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on irrational beliefs in elite soccer academy athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 26(2), 144-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2013. 812159 google scholar
64. Uğur, N. G. ve Turan, A. H. (2015). Üniversite öğrencilerinin mobil uygulamaları kabulü ve kullanımı: Sakarya Üniversitesi örneği. Yönetim Bilişim Sistemleri Dergisi, 6(2), 63-79. https://doi.org/10. 5505/iuyd.2015.50469 google scholar
65. Vertopoulos, E. ve Turner, M. J. (2017). Examining the effectiveness of a rational emotive personal-disclosure mutual-sharing (REPDMS) intervention on the irrational beliefs and rational beliefs of Greek adolescent athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 31(3), 264-274. https://doi.org/10. 1123/tsp.2016-0071 google scholar
66. Yıkılmaz, M. (2009). Akılcı duygusal eğitim programının lise öğrencilerinin akılcı olmayan inançları ve problem çözme beceri algıları üzerine etkisi [Yayınlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi]. Gaziantep Üniversitesi. google scholar