The Effect of Written Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy on Decreasing Alexithymia and Experiential Avoidance in Women with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects women at approximately twice the rate of men, often leading to complex symptoms like alexithymia and experiential avoidance.Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) on decreasing alexithymia and experiential avoidance in women with PTSD.Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study conducted in ۲۰۲۴. The statistical population included all women aged ۱۸ to ۴۰ with PTSD referred to counseling centers and psychological clinics in Tehran. A convenience sample of ۹۰ eligible participants was selected and randomly assigned to a WET group (n = ۳۰), a CPT group (n = ۳۰), and a control group (n = ۳۰). The WET group received five sessions, while the CPT group received ۱۲ sessions. Data were collected using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.Results: Both WET and CPT interventions were effective, leading to significant reductions in alexithymia (F = ۶۸.۴۲, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²p = ۰.۴۴) and experiential avoidance (F = ۵۹.۸۷, P<۰.۰۰۱, η²p = ۰.۴۱) at post-test and three-month follow-up. The findings showed that WET was more effective than CPT in decreasing alexithymia (mean reduction: ۱۶.۶ vs. ۱۴.۲ points), whereas CPT had a greater effect on reducing experiential avoidance (mean reduction: ۱۲.۶ vs. ۱۶.۶ points) (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Both therapies significantly reduce alexithymia and experiential avoidance, with WET showing greater efficacy for alexithymia and CPT for experiential avoidance, sustained at three-month follow-up. These findings inform clinicians in selecting targeted interventions based on patients’ predominant symptoms, enhancing personalized treatment for women with PTSD.

کلیدواژه ها:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ، cognitive processing ، alexithymia ، experiential avoidance ، Written Exposure Therapy