50 years of rational‐emotive and cognitive‐behavioral therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveRational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), introduced by Albert Ellis in the late 1950s, is one of the main pillars of cognitive‐behavioral therapy. Existing reviews on REBT are overdue by 10 years or more. We aimed to summarize the effectiveness and efficacy of REBT since its beginnings and investigate the alleged mechanisms of change.MethodSystematic search identified 84 articles, out of which 68 provided data for between‐group analyses and 39 for within‐group analyses.ResultsWe found a medium effect size of REBT compared to other interventions on outcomes (d = 0.58) and on irrational beliefs (d = 0.70), at posttest. For the within‐group analyses, we obtained medium effects for both outcomes (d = 0.56) and irrational beliefs (d = 0.61). Several significant moderators emerged.ConclusionREBT is a sound psychological intervention. Directions for future studies are outlined, stemming from the limitations of existing ones.

A meta‐analysis of the relationship between rational beliefs and psychological distress

“…A recent meta‐analysis regarding the efficacy of REBT intervention showed an overall medium effect size of REBT interventions on both measured outcomes (posttest, d = 0.58; follow‐up, d = 0.66) and mechanisms of change (posttest, d = 0.70; follow‐up, d = 0.57; David, Coteț, Matu, Mogoașe & Ștefan, ). The present study along with the corresponding meta‐analysis that also revealed a medium but positive relationship between irrational beliefs and distress (Vîsla et al, − r = 0.38), and the meta‐analysis concerning the efficacy of REBT intervention tends to indicate an empirical foundation for this therapeutic approach.…”

Promoting Sustainable Wellbeing: Integrating Positive Psychology and Environmental Sustainability in Education

“…Given the sustainable wellbeing framework’s ultimate goal of changing various aspects of human behavior—regarding self-care and caring for the planet—an explicit, systematic educational approach to behavioral change should be applied. We propose that the cognitive-behavioral-therapeutic orientation may furnish a relevant theoretical foundation [ 76 , 77 , 78 ] and appropriate goal-directed tools [ 79 , 80 ] to support positive sustainability educational undertakings. The basic cognitive-behavioral model and its systematic tools for facilitating effective behavioral change have been successfully applied in various policy fields to create sustainable change [ 76 , 77 , 81 ].…”

“…We propose that the cognitive-behavioral-therapeutic orientation may furnish a relevant theoretical foundation [ 76 , 77 , 78 ] and appropriate goal-directed tools [ 79 , 80 ] to support positive sustainability educational undertakings. The basic cognitive-behavioral model and its systematic tools for facilitating effective behavioral change have been successfully applied in various policy fields to create sustainable change [ 76 , 77 , 81 ]. Specifically, we recommend applying a set of ten rules based on Ronen’s [ 80 ] expansion of Kanfer and Schefft’s [ 79 ] six traditional thinking rules for therapists.…”

Cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) for generalized anxiety disorder: Contrasting various CBT approaches in a randomized clinical trial

“…Although Borkove's CT/BTP is already well‐investigated for GAD, there are less studies comparing it with other CBT approaches. REBT has shown efficiency for anxiety problems (see David, Cotet, Matu, Mogoase, & Stefan, ), but so far, it has not been specifically investigated for GAD. ACT and ACT‐based therapies, like acceptance‐based behavioral therapy (ABBT), have been shown to be effective for GAD (Hayes, Orsillo, & Roemer, ; Treanor, Erisman, Salters‐Pedneault, Roemer, & Orsillo, ).…”