Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Ta.C, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: This present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) in reducing generalized anxiety and helplessness resulting from complicated grief in female survivors of COVID-19 victims. Given the negative effects of anxiety and complicated grief on the mental and social well-being of these individuals, identifying effective interventions is of particular importance.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The participants included 30 women who had lost a loved one to COVID-19 and scored 25 or above on the Complicated Grief Questionnaire. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received eight weekly 60-minute sessions of interpersonal psychotherapy. Data were collected using standardized instruments: the Complicated Grief Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Learned Helplessness Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) via SPSS software, version 24.
Results: The findings revealed significant reductions in generalized anxiety (F=50.39, P=0.001) and helplessness (F=77.38, P=0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, 65.1% of the variance in anxiety changes and 74.1% of the variance in helplessness changes were attributable to the intervention. The large effect sizes further demonstrated the efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy in mitigating anxiety and helplessness in this population.
Conclusion: Interpersonal psychotherapy had a significant positive effect on reducing anxiety and helplessness associated with complicated grief in female survivors of COVID-19 deaths. This intervention not only alleviated anxiety but also improved social relationships, decreased feelings of loneliness, and enhanced social support. The findings suggested that this therapeutic approach might also be applicable to other groups experiencing similar conditions.
Keywords
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