The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Training on Anxiety and Depression in the COVID-19 Patients of Masih Daneshvari Hospital

Background: COVID-19 is not just a severe threat to the human body but can also jeopardize mental health. Thus, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management training on the anxiety and stress of COVID-19 patients in Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Methods: The present study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The population included all COVID-19 patients in Masih Daneshvari Hospital in April-May 2021, of whom 120 patients were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly divided into an experimental group (60 participants) and a control group (60 participants). The data were collected using the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) by Alipour et al. (2020) and Beck’s Depression Inventory. The collected data were analyzed using the COVARIANCE analysis in SPSS24. Results: The results showed that cognitive-behavioral stress management training significantly affected the COVID-19 patients of Masih Daneshvari Hospital. Conclusions: There was a significant implication for counselors and psychologists. Cognitive-behavioral stress management training reduced anxiety and depression in COVID-19 patients and improved mental health.