International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Investigating the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Metacognitive Therapy Protocol on Worry and Dysfunctional Attitudes in a Group of Anxiety Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Azadeh Babaie 1
Fateme Bazrafkan 2
Soraya Marsa 3
Tahereh Zehtab Narimani 4
1 1. Department of counseling, Khatam Non-Profit University, Tehran, Iran. Zdbabai@gmail.com. https://www.orcid.org/0009-0006-5570-0233. Phone number: 09127966174
2 2. Department of Psychology,Marvdasht branch,Islamic Azad University,Marvdasht,Fars province,Iran fatemebazrafkan64@gmail.com. 0009-0009-0390-4631.
3 3. Department of psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. https://www.orcid org. 0000-0003-4993-9732. s_Marsa@yahoo.com
4 4. Department of Clinical Psychology, Tabriz Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. tnarimani97@gmail.com. 0009-0000-3326-2603
10.30491/ijbs.2026.560307.2288
Abstract
Introduction: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychological conditions and are often accompanied by excessive worry and dysfunctional attitudes, which significantly impair daily functioning and interpersonal relationships. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Solution‑Focused Metacognitive Therapy (SF‑MCT) in reducing worry and dysfunctional attitudes in individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
Method: This applied, quasi‑experimental study employed a pre‑test, post‑test, and three‑month follow‑up design with experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of individuals with anxiety disorders who referred to psychology clinics in Tehran in 2023. A total of 30 participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The intervention included six 60‑minute sessions, conducted twice weekly, based on the solution‑focused metacognitive therapy protocol. Data were collected using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ‑A) and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS‑26). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were calculated, and inferential analyses were conducted using Mann–Whitney U test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of p < 0.05 with SPSS version 27.
Results: The findings indicated a significant between‑groups effect for worry, with lower scores observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant time × group interaction effect was found for worry (p = 0.024). The between‑groups effect for dysfunctional attitudes was also statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that solution‑focused metacognitive therapy is effective in reducing worry and dysfunctional attitudes among individuals with anxiety disorders and may contribute to alleviating anxiety symptoms.
Keywords
Solution-Focused Metacognitive Therapy
Worry
Dysfunctional Attitudes
Anxiety Patients
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 36-43