the effectiveness of rational emotive behavioral therapy (rebt)

104 Pages·2017·0.92 MB·English

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RATIONAL EMOTIVE
BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (REBT) IN THE TREATMENT OF
DEPRESSION IN ADULTS WITH ACNE

BY
MICHAEL SELLO RATSELA

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree

MASTERS OF SCIENCE
in
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
In the faculty of
MEDICINE
at the
UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO
MEDUNSA CAMPUS
Supervisor: Kgadi Ramadimetja Thobejane
Date Of Submission: January 2013
DECLARATION
I Michael Sello Ratsela declare that the work on which this dissertation is based, is original
(except where acknowledgements indicate otherwise) and that neither the whole work nor any
part of it has been, is being or shall be submitted for another degree at this or any other university
or institution.

……………………… …………………………..
Michael SelloRatsela Date
Student Number:____________

i
ABSTRACT

The emotional scarring of adult acne is usually deeper than the physical. The plight of adults
who are affected by acne is usually misunderstood because of the misconception that if a
condition is not life threatening, it does not pose a significant problem for the patient. Myths
about acne and social stigma associated with the condition further exacerbate its impact on those
who are affected. Adults may be affected by acne in unique ways like, college, work,
employment, or social functioning. Effective psychological interventions are essential in
enabling those who are affected to better cope.

The aim of this investigation was to quantitatively determine whether Behavioral Therapy
(REBT) will reduce the symptoms of depression in adults who are affected by the condition of
acne.

The sample of 36 participants was selected from the dermatology department at the Dr George
Mukhari Hospital. Data was collected by the researcher using a biographical data sheet and a
Beck Depression Inventory.
The statistical analysis of data yielded from the study indicated that the intervention of Rational
Emotive Behavioral Therapy is effective in reducing the symptoms of depression in adults who
are affected with acne.
ii
ACKOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for being the Light throughout my
life. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals who contributed
immensely on the success of my study:
 Ramadimetja Kgadi Thobejane, my supervisor for her insightful comments and support.
 My parents Josiah Ratsela and Florence Ratsela for providing unconditional love and
support throughout my career.
 My brothers Diale and Tempi, and my sister Boitumelo for believing in me.
 My wife Selina for all the sacrifices and support she provided during this project.
 My friends and colleagues Malcolm Pillay, Boitumelo Sefolo, Mamositli Delekwa,
Tebogo Nganase, Tshegofatso Masia, Julia Mathabathe, Dikeledi Nkambule, Ashnee
Kasseepursad,Cynthia Mabaso, Suveena Naranswami and Natasha du Toitfor their
remarkable support.
 My cousin “PK” for making me realize my potentials and for being with me through
thick and thin.
 My friend Collin Moche whom I will never forget his amazing support.
 Prof Schoeman for statistical analysis and interpretation of the data.
 The staff members and participants at Dr George Mukhari Hospital, for their cooperation
during data collection.
iii
DEDICATION
To all dedicated health professionals who make a significant impact on many people’s lives.

iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION………………………………………………………………………...……….i
ABSTRACT…………………..………………………………………………………….………ii
ACKOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………..………………………..iii
DEDICATION……………………………………………….…………………………….……iv
TABLE OF CONTETS……………………………………………..…………………………...v
LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………...…..…………………………v
LIST OF GRAPHS………………………………………………………………….….………xii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY….……………………………………...……….………….1
1.2 RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY……………………………………..……..……..………3
1.3 AIM OF THE STUDY………………………………………………………..………….......4
1.4 CHAPTERS LAYOUT…………………………………………………….…...………..…..5

v
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.INTRODUCTION…………………..…………………………………………………………6
2.1 Adult……...…………….…………………………………..………..……………...…….…..6
2.1.1 Physical, Cognitive and Psychosocial developments in young adulthood……..…..……7
 Physical developments in young adulthood………………………………..…………...7
 Cognitive developments in young adulthood ……………………………..……………8
 Psychosocial Development in young adulthood…………………………….……...…. 9
2.1.3 Physical, Cognitive and Psychosocial developments in middle adulthood………..……9
 Physical developments in middle adulthood……………………………..…….………9
 Cognitive developments in middle adulthood ………………………………….…..…9
 Psychosocial Developments in middle adulthood …………………………..…….…10
2.1.2 Physical, Cognitive and Psychosocial developments in late or older, adulthood..........10
 Physical developments in late or older, adulthood………….………………......……10
 Cognitive developments late or older, adulthood……………………………....……..10
 Psychosocial Developments in late or older, adulthood ……………...……….…….10
2.2Acne………………………………………………………...……………………...…………11
2.2.1 Definition of acne……………………………………………….....…………….……..…11
2.2.2 Subtypes of acne…………………………………………………..……..…………….….11
 Drug-induced acne………………………………………………………..……….……11

vi
 Cosmetic acne…………………………………………………..……………..………..12
 Occupational acne…………………………………………………………...........……12
 Mechanical acne…………………...…………………….…...…………………..……12
 Infantile acne………………………………………………...…………….………..…12
 Late onset acne………………………………………..…………………….…..….….12
 Excoriated acne…………………………………..………………………...……..…...12
 Severe form………………………………………..…...………………………..……..12
2.2.3 Causes of acne…………………………………………………………….……..………..12
2.2.4 Prevalence of acne in adults……………………….………………………..…………....14
2.2.5 Psychosocial consequences of acne in adults………………………………….……...…15
 Self-concept……………………………………………………………….…………..…17
 Self-esteem………………………………………………………………….…………...18
 Body image……………………………………………………………………..…….…20
2.3 Depression……………………………………………………………….………….…….…21
2.3.1 Psychotherapy in treating Depression……………………………………………….….23
 Psychoanalytical models and Hypnosis……………………………………….…….…24
 Person centered therapy……………………………………………………………..…25
 Behavioral therapy……………………………………….…………………………..…26
 Cognitive therapy……………….……………………………………………………....27
 Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy………………………………….…………………..…28
2.4. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)…….……………………………….….….30
vii
2.4.1 Historical context……………………………………………………………...……….…30
2.4.2 Basic concepts of REBT………………………………………………….………….……31
 The ABC framework………………………..……………………………….....…...….31
 Rigid Beliefs are at the Very Core of Psychological Disturbance………….....….….32
 Flexible Beliefs are at the Very Core of Psychological Health………………..…..….33
 REBT’s Position on Negative emotions……………………………………………..…33
 REBT’s Explanation of How Clients Create Highly Distorted Inferences…….....…34
2.4.3 Unique features of REBT……………………………………………………………..….35
 Innate predispositions to disturbance……………………………………………..…..35
 Secondary disturbances…………………………………………………………..…….35
 Assessment procedures…………………………………………………..…………..…36
 Appropriate and Inappropriate feelings……………………………………….….…..36
 Absolustic and anti-empirical irrational beliefs……………………………….….…..37
 Evaluative and nonevaluative dogmas……………………………….…………..……37
 Relationship process………………………………………………..………….……….38
 Multimodal and comprehensive use of techniques…………………………….……..39
 The use of force and vividness………………………………………………….…...…40
 Ego anxiety and discomfort anxiety……………………………………………..….....40
 Humanistic aspects……………………………………………………...……….……...41
 Views of self-esteem and self-acceptance……………………………………….……..42
 Views of efficient and elegant psychotherapy……………………………….………..42
 Views on behavioral methods……………………………………………….……..…..43
viii
 Insight and behavioral change…………...……………………….…….…….….…….43
 Use of humor……………………………………………………………........…………44
2.4.3Theory of change in REBT…………………………….…….…………………..…...…..45
2.4.4 The practice of REBT……………………………………………………….…………....46
2.4.5 REBT in treating depression………………………………………………...…….…….46
2.5 Conclusion………………………………………………………………….…………….…48

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLODY

3.1INTRODUCTION…………………………….………………….………………….…..….50
3.2 METHOD……………………….……………………………………………………….….50
3.2.1 Aim……………………………………………………………………………….…….….50
3.2.2 Quantitative research…………………………………………………………...………..50
3.2.3 Quasi-experimental research design……………………...……………………….…….51
3.2.4 Hypothesis…………………………………………………………………………..….….52
 Alternate hypothesis………………………………………………………...…….……52
 Null hypotheses………………………………………………………….…….………..52
3.4 Research Sample……………………………….………………………………..………….52
ix