ABSTRACT
Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cognitive focused psychoeducation program on anxiety levels and cognitive errors of adolescents and to underline the importance of preventive mental health services.
Materials and Methods:
Psychoeducational program was designed in the light of cognitive-behavioral approach. It included 6 educational sessions, while placebo group comprised 3 sessions. For the study, screening tests were applied to 416 students from two schools in Şişli, with the permission of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education. The Children’s Negative Cognitive Errors Questionnaire (CNCEQ) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used in screening. BAI and CNCEQ scores were used in pretest and posttest. For comparison of the anxiety levels and cognitive error levels of three groups, 3x2 repeated measure of variance analysis and Tukey test were applied.
Results:
Results revealed that anxiety level and cognitive error level in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group and placebo group (p<0.05). A slight decrease in placebo group was found; however, results were not statically significant.
Conclusion:
It was found that 6-week cognitive focused psychoeducational program for adolescents was effective in reducing anxiety and cognitive error levels. The current study shows the importance of the cognitive focused psychoeducational program in preventive mental health services. Further research on the relationship between anxiety and cognitive errors among children and adolescents is necessary.
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