The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Attentional Bias in Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptoms: A Semi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Il.c, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran.

2 Department of Psychology, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran.

3 Department of Psychology, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran

10.48308/apsy.2025.238879.1782

Abstract

Aim: Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by excessive and unrealistic concerns about one’s physical appearance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of CBT on attentional bias in individuals exhibiting symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder.
Method: This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a two-month follow-up and included a control group. The statistical population consisted of all clients visiting cosmetic clinics in Kermanshah in 2023. From this population, 36 eligible volunteers were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (n=18 per group). The experimental group participated in ten sessions of CBT based on Beck and Beck’s protocol (2011), whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. Attentional bias was assessed using the Attention Focus Questionnaire (Woody et al., 1997). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-26.
Results: The findings indicated significant effects of time (η²=0.98, p<0.001), group (η²=0.97, p<0.001), and the interaction between time and group (η²=0.97, p<0.001) on attentional bias. No significant differences were observed in mean attentional bias scores between the posttest and follow-up assessments (p>0.05).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that CBT can reduce attentional bias and the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder. Therefore, the implementation of CBT in clinical settings, universities, and educational centers is recommended for both treatment and prevention purposes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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