Prediction of insomnia severity based on cognitive, metacognitive, and emotional variables in college students.

OBJECTIVE: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder whose origin is attributed to various variables. The current study aims to predict the symptoms of insomnia by investigating some of its predictors. METHODS: Numerous variables such as depression and anxiety symptoms, worry, pre-sleep arousal (cognitive arousal and somatic arousal), dysfunctional cognitions, and metacognitive beliefs about sleep were assessed as insomnia predictors. A total of 400 students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS), the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS-10), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-Insomnia (MCQ-I), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS: All variables were significantly correlated with insomnia symptoms (P < .001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested a predictive model for insomnia including cognitive arousal, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, metacognitive beliefs about sleep, and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underline the significant role of cognitive and metacognitive variables for predicting insomnia symptoms. Moreover, the results suggest that metacognitive beliefs about sleep may need to be considered as a significant component in the context of insomnia.

Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance-based behavior therapy and applied relaxation on acceptance of internal experiences, engagement in valued actions and quality of life in generalized anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND: Acceptance-based behavior therapy (ABBT) was developed based on the theory that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is maintained through a reactive and fused relationship with internal experiences and a tendency toward experiential avoidance and behavioral restriction. ABBT specifically targets these elements. Here, we aimed to compare ABBT to the applied relaxation (AR), which is the most utilized psychological therapy for GAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial study. The sample included 18 GAD patients who were referred by an expert psychiatrist to Psychosomatic Research Center of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Patients were assigned into two groups (ABBT and AR group). Both groups received routine drug therapies by psychiatrists. The ABBT and AR were applied in 12 weekly sessions. The instruments used in the study included Valued Living Questionnaire, Action, and Acceptance Questionnaire, and Short-Form Health Survey-12 revised Version (SF-12V2). The data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between ABBT and AR groups in their acceptance of internal experiences, engagement in meaningful activities and quality of life (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study compared ABBT to the most utilized psychological therapy for GAD; i.e., AR. ABBT and AR have similar efficacy on acceptance of internal experiences, valued actions and quality of life.