Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment versus CBT Beckian approaches for medical students with emotional disorders

  • Cosmin O. Popa George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
  • Peter Olah George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
  • Cristiana M. Cojocaru George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
  • Zsolt Jakab George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
  • Dana V. Ghiga George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
  • Alina Schenk George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania
Keywords: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Unified Protocols, Transdiagnostic, emotional disorders, medical students

Abstract

Background: Emotional disorders are highly prevalent among medical students, impacting their academic performance and general quality of life. It was shown that cognitive-behavioral and emotion regulation strategies are efficient for reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in young people.

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficiency of standard individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to a group intervention based on the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment (UPTT) of emotional disorders in two groups of medical students with similar baseline characteristics.

Method: The sample of this research was composed of 64 medical students in total, of which 34 were included in the CBT group (Mage= 19.5 years, SD= 0.96) and 30 were included in the UPTT group (Mage= 19.4 years, SD= 0.93). The level of irrational beliefs and emotional distress were measured before and after the interventions, which were carried out by certificated psychotherapists.

Results: Statiscally significant differences were observed between pre-test and post-test in both groups. The level of irrational beliefs dropped after the CBT (M=62.91, SD=21.30, p<0.05) and the UPTT intervention (M=67.33, SD=34.89, p<0.05), respectively. Similarly, the profile of emotional distress changed after the CBT (M=77.62, SD=16.97, p<0.05) and the UPTT intervention (M=68.77, SD=20.06, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Psychological interventions relying on cognitive-behavioral approaches, including standard, individual psychotherapy and a group intervention designed according to a transdiagnostic protocol, are suitable methods for reducing emotional disorders among medical students.

Author Biographies

Cosmin O. Popa, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

Department of Ethics and Social Sciences

Peter Olah, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics

Cristiana M. Cojocaru, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

The Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy

Zsolt Jakab, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

The Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy

Dana V. Ghiga, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

Department of Research methodology

Alina Schenk, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Tîrgu-Mureș, Romania

The Doctoral School of Medicine and Pharmacy

Published
2022-01-25
How to Cite
1.
Popa C, Olah P, Cojocaru C, Jakab Z, Ghiga D, Schenk A. Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment versus CBT Beckian approaches for medical students with emotional disorders. amm [Internet]. 25Jan.2022 [cited 28Mar.2024];68(1). Available from: https://ojs.actamedicamarisiensis.ro/index.php/amm/article/view/114
Section
Original article