THE EFFECT OF A PROGRAM BASED ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)-BASED PROGRAM TO REDUCE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE PERSONALITY DISORDER (OCPD) SYMPTOMS: AN APPLIED STUDY

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop a program based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to reduce symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) among students at the University of Mosul. It also sought to examine the effectiveness of CBT techniques in alleviating OCPD symptoms in this population. To achieve these objectives, twelve null hypotheses were formulated. The study employed an experimental methodology, targeting second-year students at the University of Mosul. The main sample consisted of 65 students, who were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. Statistical equivalence between the groups was confirmed based on the following variables: pre-test scores, chronological age in months, parental education level, gender, and birth order. A therapeutic program based on CBT techniques was developed, comprising 20 sessions. Additionally, an OCPD scale was constructed, consisting of 46 items distributed across eight criteria in accordance with the DSM-5. The results revealed statistically significant differences in favour of the post-test, indicating a reduction in students' scores on the OCPD scale following the intervention. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found among the eight criteria— (preoccupation with details, order, and organization; perfectionism; excessive devotion to work; inflexible morality and ethics; hoarding; self-directed work style; miserliness; and rigidity and stubbornness)—in the post-test scores of the experimental group.