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The Effectiveness of Cognitive Processing Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Posttraumatic Growth in Bereaved Survivors with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Nae.C., Islamic Azad University, Naein, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, ARS.C., Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran

10.30476/smsj.2026.101878.1503

Abstract

Introduction: The experience of grief complicated by posttraumatic stress represents one of the most challenging human experiences. It gives rise to complex emotions and psychological injuries that can impede personal development. Over time, these can increase an individual's anxiety and negatively impact their meaning and quality of life, making this a significant area of inquiry. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-processing therapy (CPT) on emotion regulation and posttraumatic growth in survivors of experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to bereavement.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included bereaved individuals who had lost a loved one, had sought services at counseling centers in Shiraz in 2021, and had been diagnosed with PTSD using the Mississippi PTSD Scale. A purposive sample of 30 participants was selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group underwent twelve 90-minute sessions of cognitive processing therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Mississippi PTSD Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS software (version 27).
Results: The results indicated that cognitive-processing therapy led to positive changes in the components of emotion regulation, specifically in reducing expressive suppression and increasing cognitive reappraisal (P<0.05). Furthermore, a significant improvement was observed in the posttraumatic growth components (New Possibilities, Relating to Others, Personal Strength, Appreciation of Life, and Spiritual Change) within the experimental group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings suggested that cognitive processing therapy significantly influenced the processing of posttraumatic stress by fostering awareness of the traumatic experience and emphasizing key therapeutic factors such as safety, self-belief, important relationships, power, control, and trust. This evidence indicated that thought systems following trauma were amenable to change through such interventions. Consequently, CPT proved to be an effective therapeutic approach for regulating emotions and facilitating posttraumatic growth. It is therefore recommended as a therapeutic approach for individuals presenting with symptoms of PTSD and bereavement.
 

Keywords

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Available Online from 23 May 2026
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