Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Psychology , Ur.C. , Islamic Azad University , Urmia ,Iran.
2
Department of Psychology , Ur.C. , Islamic Azad University , Urmia ,Iran. (Corresponding author)
3
Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz Branch, University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4
Department of Psychology, Ur.C. , Islamic Azad University, Urmia ,Iran.
10.22038/mjms.2025.90856.5102
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of logotherapy on spiritual health, alexithymia, and negative automatic thoughts in cardiac patients.
Method: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest multigroup structure, including a one-month follow-up and a control group. The study population comprised cardiac patients of Shahid Madani Hospital in Tabriz. Using purposive and convenience sampling, 30 patients with a history of heart disease who were admitted in the summer of 2023 were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of 15 (experimental and control). The instruments included the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire (Delmon & Fry, 2004), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (2006), and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (Hollon & Kendall, 1980). The experimental group, after the pretest, attended eight group sessions of Frankl’s logotherapy based on a structured protocol, while the control group received no intervention. After the sessions, both groups completed the posttest, and one month later, follow-up was carried out by re-administering the questionnaires. Patient selection was confirmed by a cardiologist.
Results: Results showed that logotherapy increased spiritual health and reduced alexithymia and negative automatic thoughts in cardiac patients. Significant differences between the experimental and control groups were observed.
Conclusion: Logotherapy, by enhancing spiritual health and reducing emotional and cognitive difficulties, can serve as an effective therapeutic approach for cardiac patients.
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