Effectiveness of CBT and SFBT on Cognitive Avoidance and Perceived Stress in Adolescent Girls From Divorced Families in Izeh, Iran

Objective: Divorce significantly impacts adolescent girls, increasing their vulnerability to psychological challenges, such as cognitive avoidance and perceived stress. This study compared the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) in reducing cognitive avoidance and perceived stress among adolescent girls (aged 12–16 years) from divorced families living in Izeh City, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test-post-test and a 3-month follow-up design with one control group. Sixty adolescent girls from divorced families in Izeh, Iran, were purposively recruited from schools and community centers based on parental divorce status and willingness to participate. They were randomly assigned to three groups (n=20 each: CBT, SFBT, and control) using a computer-generated random sequence with allocation concealment via sealed envelopes. The sample size ensured 80% power to detect a moderate effect size (f=0.25, α=0.05). CBT involved eight 90-minute sessions focusing on cognitive restructuring and coping skills; SFBT emphasized solution-building. The control group received no intervention. Outcomes were measured using the cognitive avoidance questionnaire (CAQ; Cronbach α=0.81) and perceived stress scale (PSS-10; Cronbach α=0.74). Repeated measures analysis of variance evaluated intervention effects (P<0.05), with effect sizes reported as partial η². Results: Both CBT and SFBT significantly reduced cognitive avoidance (P<0.001, partial η²=0.79) and perceived stress (P<0.001, partial η²=0.64) from pre-test to post-test, with effects sustained at follow-up. Both intervention groups outperformed the control group, with no statistically significant difference between CBT and SFBT (P>0.05). Conclusion: CBT and SFBT are effective in reducing cognitive avoidance and perceived stress in adolescent girls from divorced families, with comparable efficacy. These findings support their integration into mental health programs for this population.