Modified Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (MREBT): An Effective Treatment to Reduce Anxiety

Abstract

The study made use of single case (N=1) experiment design replicated six (6) times and the mixed design, qualitative and quantitative analyses of data to determine the efficacy of Modified Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (MREBT) in altering irrational beliefs and minimizing the anxiety among mothers of children with autism (CWA). The participants of the study were six (6) mothers of CWA suffering from high to very high levels of anxiety. Convenience and chain sampling were applied. Objective and subjective measures were utilized namely the Anxiety Scale Questionnaire, Ellis’ twelve (12) Irrational Ideas, MREBT Self-Help Form, and the Client’s Journal. The results of the study before the treatment revealed that mothers had high and very high anxiety and were engaged in self-talk of irrational beliefs that led to self-defeating emotions and behavior. After the treatment, they obtained average to high average levels of anxiety and reassuring personal beliefs were formulated that bring about positive emotional and behavioral transformation. The down trend of scores from pretest to posttest is indicative of positive changes in their way of thinking, feeling and behaving. The anxiety reduction was manifested by the clients’ considerable improvement in their general well-being and coping. The study concludes that MREBT is considerably effective in the alteration of irrational beliefs and reduction of anxiety. It is likewise useful as a self-therapy guide for mothers suffering anxiety. The current study recommends that the same study or comparable studies may be replicated and conducted, and more subjects be included for verification and generalizability of the results of the study. Likewise, counseling and psychology researchers profoundly examine the methodology of this study specifically on the treatment interventions employed to identify the weak areas and may improve or develop eclectic treatment interventions. Anxiety test be developed solely for mothers of CWA as well.