Religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is effective in treating anxiety disorders, there is a growing need to integrate culturally meaningful elements into treatment. This study examined the impact of a newly developed religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (R-CBT) group program on anxiety and well-being in young adults diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). A 3×3 experimental design was used, involving 33 participants randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group received a 10-session R-CBT program, the second group received a traditional 10-session CBT program tailored for GAD, and the third group, serving as a waitlist control, received no intervention. Quantitative findings revealed that both R-CBT and CBT significantly reduced anxiety symptoms over time. Notably, pre-test anxiety scores were significantly higher than follow-up scores in both intervention groups. Regarding well-being, the R-CBT group demonstrated a significant increase at post-test compared to the control group, whereas the CBT group showed significant improvements at follow-up. These results suggest that both interventions are effective for reducing anxiety, but that R-CBT may facilitate earlier improvements in well-being, serving as a culturally adaptable and effective alternative to traditional CBT by addressing religious dimensions relevant to clients’ lived experiences.