The Effectiveness of a Cognitive Counseling Program in Reducing Cognitive Distortions among Al- Quds Open University Students

Abstract

This study aims to recognize the effectiveness of a cognitive counseling program in decreasing the cognitive distortions among Al-Quds Open University students. A semi- experimental design was used through a sample of 30 students (males and females), who recorded high degrees in the cognitive distortions standard. They were divided into two groups: experimental and control. A cognitive distortions scale was used to collect the data, while a counseling program based on the cognitive theory was designed for the study, and applied on the experimental group, in 12 sessions, as one session weekly with each session for 90 minutes. The study results showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control groups in the post measurement on the cognitive distortions, in favor of the experimental group. Differences between the pre and post measurement in the experimental group were also statistically significant, in favor of the post measurement. Additionally, there were no differences between the post and the long term measurements in the experimental group, which indicates the effectiveness of the applied counseling program in deceasing the cognitive distortions and six month follow-up effectiveness. Based on the results, the study recommends to apply the developed counseling program to other communities, and for similar or different indicative purposes.