The Effect of Cognitive-Metaphor Group Counseling Based on Rumi's Masnavi on Cognitive Flexibility, Rumination and Self-Efficacy in Depressed Housewives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cognitive-metaphorical group counseling based on Rumi's Masnavi on reducing rumination and increasing cognitive flexibility and self-efficacy in depressed housewives. This study was quasi-experimental based on pretest-posttest and follow-up with control and follow-up groups. The sample in this study consisted of 36 married and housewives of Isfahani (resident in Isfahan) who had the highest level of depression (17-29) based on Beck questionnaire and randomly divided into two groups. Experiments and controls were replaced. Research tools included rumination questionnaire, general self-efficacy questionnaire, and cognitive flexibility questionnaire. The experimental group participated in eight sessions of cognitive-metaphorical group counseling based on Rumi's Masnavi. Analysis of data using repeated measures ANOVA showed that this intervention increased cognitive flexibility (p<0.005). And self-efficacy (p<0.05) and rumination decline (p<0.05) in the experimental group had a significant effect on the post test and these effects continued until the follow-up. This study may have useful implications for the development of preventive and therapeutic education programs to improve the mental health of housewives.