The Effect of Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy on Negative Automatic Thoughts and Dysfunctional Attitudes of Women with Cancer

The present research aimed at examining the effect of imagery rescripting and reprocessing therapy (IRRT) on negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes of women with cancer. This research was semi-experimental with comparison design of unequal control group. Using Kendal and Hellonn`s (date?) Negative Automatic Thoughts and Weissmen & Beck`s Dysfunctional Attitudes Questionnaire, 28 women with cancer who had negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes were randomly selected and were voluntarily assigned into experimental and control groups (14 person in each group). The experimental group received 8 sessions of IRRT techniques on basic Smoker`s educational package (one session weekly) and the control group did not receive any intervention. After the intervention of IRRT, negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes of the members of both groups were measured again. MANCOVA was used to analyze the data. Calculated F for negative automatic thought and dysfunctional attitudes variables showed significant difference in both groups. Generally, this research in the agreement with other similar studies indicated that the IRRT method might be an effective intervention in decreasing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes of women with cancer.