Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Future Research Directions for REBT

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advances in REBT

Abstract

This chapter will build on the available evidence regarding Rational Emotive and Behavior Therapy (REBT) theory and practice and will outline future directions that research should follow in order to strengthen its status as an evidence-based approach to mental health promotion. The chapter will discuss in depth the challenges that should be overcomed, as well as the opportunities that stem from the integration with emerging fields such as cognitive neurosciences, genetics, technological developments, and cross-cultural research. The discussion will illustrate how these avenues could be used to strengthen the evidence-base for both REBT theory and applications, as well as developing more effective interventions for promoting mental health across multiple contexts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amir, N., Beard, C., Burns, M., & Bomyea, J. (2009). Attention modification program in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 118(1), 28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, G., Cuijpers, P., Carlbring, P., Riper, H., & Hedman, E. (2014). Guided Internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 13(3), 288–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1999). Prisoners of hate: The cognitive basis of anger, hostility, and violence. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Freeman, A., & Davis, D. D. (Eds.). (2015). Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brunet, A., Orr, S. P., Tremblay, J., Robertson, K., Nader, K., & Pitman, R. K. (2008). Effect of post-retrieval propranolol on psychophysiologic responding during subsequent script driven traumatic imagery in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 42(6), 503–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, C., Szentagotai Tatar, A., McKinstry, B., Matheson, C., Matu, S., Moldovan, R., … Serrano Blanco, A. (2016). Pilot randomised controlled trial of Help4Mood, an embodied virtual agent-based system to support treatment of depression. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 22(6), 348–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiao, J. Y., & Blizinsky, K. D. (2009). Culture–gene coevolution of individualism–collectivism and the serotonin transporter gene. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences. rspb20091650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa, P. T., Jr., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) Professional Manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cristea, I., Gentili, C., Ricciardi, E., Rota, G., Bonino, D., David, D., Pietrini, P., & Guazzelli, M. (2011). Brain correlates of rational and irrational beliefs: an fMRI study of cognitive reappraisal. Poster presentation at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Quebec.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, D. (2015). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). In R. L. Cautin & S. O. Lilienfeld (Eds.), Encyclopedia of clinical psychology. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Cotet, C., Matu, S., Mogoase, C., & Stefan, S. (2018). 50 years of rational-emotive and cognitive-behavioral therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(3), 304–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Gherman, A., Podina, I., Mogoaşe, C., Sucală, M., & Voinescu, B. (2016). The added value of CBT in the genetic counseling process: concept development, state of the art and new directions. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34(4), 310–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Matu, S., Mogoaşe, C., & Voinescu, B. (2016). Integrating cognitive processing, brain activity, molecules and genes to advance evidence-based psychological treatment for depression and anxiety: From cognitive neurogenetics to CBT-based neurogenetics. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34(3), 149–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Matu, S. A., & David, O. A. (2013). New directions in virtual reality-based therapy for anxiety disorders. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 6(2), 114–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Matu, S. A., & David, O. A. (2014). Robot-based psychotherapy: Concepts development, state of the art, and new directions. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 7(2), 192–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Matu, S. A., David, O. A., & Terracciano, A. (2017). The role of cognitive discrepancy between perception of national character and personality in the functioning and adaptation of 46 Countries: An exploratory study. Cross-Cultural Research, 51, 412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, D., & Montgomery, G. H. (2011). The scientific status of psychotherapies: A new evaluative framework for evidence-based psychosocial interventions. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 18(2), 89–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, D., Szentagotai, A., Lupu, V., & Cosman, D. (2008). Rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and medication in the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomized clinical trial, posttreatment outcomes, and six-month follow-up. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 728–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, O. A., Capris, D., & Jarda, A. (2017). Online coaching of emotion-regulation strategies for parents: Efficacy of the online rational positive parenting program and attention bias modification procedures. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David, O. A., Cardoș, R. A., & Matu, S. (2018). Is REThink therapeutic game effective in preventing emotional disorders in children and adolescents? Outcomes of a randomized clinical trial. European child & adolescent psychiatry.Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1007/s00787-018-1192-2

    Google Scholar 

  • David, O. A., & David, D. (2013). The “PsyPills” app: Emerging modalities for applying CBT in real life. In Poster presented at the 43rd Annual Congress of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Marrakech, Marocco.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, O. A., David, D., & Vanderborght, B. (2013, September). The efficacy of the RETMAN robot versus cartoons in helping children manage exam anxiety. Paper presented at the 43rd Annual Congress of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Marrakech, Morocco.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, O. A., & Digiuseppe, R. (2016). The rational positive parenting program. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eley, T. C., Hudson, J. L., Creswell, C., Tropeano, M., Lester, K. J., Cooper, P., … Uher, R. (2012). Therapygenetics: the 5HTTLPR and response to psychological therapy. Molecular Psychiatry, 17(3), 236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A. (1997). Extending the goals of behavior therapy and of cognitive behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy, 28(3), 333–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A., & Bernard, M. E. (Eds.). (2006). Rational emotive behavioral approaches to childhood disorders: Theory, practice and research. Boston, MA: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmelkamp, P. M., David, D., Beckers, T., Muris, P., Cuijpers, P., Lutz, W., … Berking, M. (2014). Advancing psychotherapy and evidence-based psychological interventions. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 23(S1), 58–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engels, G. I., Garnefski, N., & Diekstra, R. F. W. (1993). Efficacy of rational-emotive therapy: A quantitative analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(6), 1083–1090.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Palacios, A., Botella, C., Hoffman, H., & Şi Fabregat, S. (2007). Comparing acceptance and refusal rates of virtual reality exposure vs. in vivo exposure by patients with specific phobias. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(5), 722–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaviţa, O. A., David, D., Bujoreanu, S., Tiba, A., & Ionuţiu, D. R. (2012). The efficacy of a short cognitive–behavioral parent program in the treatment of externalizing behavior disorders in Romanian foster care children: Building parental emotion-regulation through unconditional self-and child-acceptance strategies. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(7), 1290–1297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentili, C., Cristea, I.A., Podina, I.R., David, D., Vanello, N., & Pietrini, P. (2015). Caudate resting state activity predicts impulsivity performance in subsequent Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Poster presentation at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giosan, C., Cobeanu, O., Mogoaşe, C., Szentagotai, A., Mureşan, V., & Boian, R. (2017). Reducing depressive symptomatology with a smartphone app: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Trials, 18(1), 215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., & Hofmann, S. G. (2017). The third wave of cognitive behavioral therapy and the rise of process-based care. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 245–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Insel, T. R., Cuthbert, B. N., Garvey, M. A., Heinssen, R. K., & Pine, D. S. (2010). Research Domain Criteria (RDoC): Toward a new classification framework for research on mental disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(7), 748.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2007). Mediators and mechanisms of change in psychotherapy research. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 3, 1–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kieling, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Belfer, M., Conti, G., Ertem, I., Omigbodun, O., … Rahman, A. (2011). Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: evidence for action. The Lancet, 378(9801), 1515–1525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klarreich, S. H., Digiuseppe, R., & Dimattia, D. J. (1987). Cost effectiveness of an employee assistance program with rational-emotive therapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 18(2), 140–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kredlow, M. A., Unger, L. D., & Otto, M. W. (2016). Harnessing reconsolidation to weaken fear and appetitive memories: A meta-analysis of post-retrieval extinction effects. Psychological Bulletin, 142(3), 314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landrø, N. I. (2014). Towards personalized treatment of depression: A candidate gene approach. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 55(3), 219–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrifield, C., & Şi Merrifield, R. (1979). Call me RetMan and have a ball. New York, NY: Institute for Rational Living.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meulders, A., Van Daele, T., Volders, S., & Vlaeyen, J. W. (2016). The use of safety-seeking behavior in exposure-based treatments for fear and anxiety: Benefit or burden? A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 45, 144–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mogoașe, C., Cobeanu, O., David, O., Giosan, C., & Szentagotai, A. (2017). Internet-based psychotherapy for adult depression: What about the mechanisms of change? Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(1), 5–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Najmi, S., & Amir, N. (2010). The effect of attention training on a behavioral test of contamination fears in individuals with subclinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 119(1), 136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2015). Any Mental Illness (AMI) Among U.S. Adults. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-mental-illness-ami-among-us-adults.shtml

  • Oltean, H. R., Hyland, P., Vallières, F., & David, D. O. (2017). An empirical assessment of REBT models of psychopathology and psychological health in the prediction of anxiety and depression symptoms. Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy, 45(6), 600–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ougrin, D. (2011). Efficacy of exposure versus cognitive therapy in anxiety disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 11(1), 200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, S., & Gyllensten, K. (2008). How cognitive behavioural, rational emotive behavioural or multimodal coaching could prevent mental health problems, enhance performance and reduce work related stress. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 26(1), 38–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podina, I., Popp, R., Pop, I., & David, D. (2015). Genetic correlates of maladaptive beliefs: COMT VAL 158 MET and irrational cognitions linked depending on distress. Behavior Therapy, 46(6), 797–808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podina, I. R., Koster, E. H., Philippot, P., Dethier, V., & David, D. O. (2013). Optimal attentional focus during exposure in specific phobia: a meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 1172–1183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pop, C. A., Pintea, S., Vanderborght, B., & David, D. (2014). Enhancing play skills, engagement and social skills in a play task in ASD children by using robot-based interventions. Interaction Studies, 15(2), 71–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powers, M. B., Sigmarsson, S. R., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2008). A meta-analytic review of psychological treatments for social anxiety disorder. Interational Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1, 94–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raichle, M. E. (2015). The brain’s default mode network. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 38, 433–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, T. W., Gillan, C. M., Smith, D. G., de Wit, S., & Ersche, K. D. (2012). Neurocognitive endophenotypes of impulsivity and compulsivity: towards dimensional psychiatry. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(1), 81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiller, D., Monfils, M. H., Raio, C. M., Johnson, D. C., Ledoux, J. E., & Phelps, E. A. (2010). Preventing the return of fear in humans using reconsolidation update mechanisms. Nature, 463(7277), 49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shelley, A. M., Battaglia, J., Lucey, J., Ellis, A., Opler, L. A., & Center, B. P. (2001). Symptom-specific group therapy for inpatients with schizophrenia. Einstein Quarterly Journal of Biology and Medicine, 18(1), 21–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinert, C., Hofmann, M., Kruse, J., & Leichsenring, F. (2014). The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the community. A systematic literature review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 152–154, 65–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szentagotai, A., David, D., Lupu, V., & Cosman, D. (2008). Rational emotive behavior therapy versus cognitive therapy versus pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder: Mechanisms of change analysis. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 45(4), 523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terracciano, A., Abdel-Khalek, A. M., Adam, N., Adamovova, L., Ahn, C. K., Ahn, H. N., … Meshcheriakov, B. (2005). National character does not reflect mean personality trait levels in 49 Cultures. Science, 310, 96–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vernon, A., & Bernard, M. E. (2006). Applications of REBT in schools: Prevention, promotion, intervention. In A. Ellis & M. E. Bernard (Eds.), Rational emotive behavioral approaches to childhood disorders: Theory, practice and research (pp. 415–460). Boston, MA: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vîslă, A., Flückiger, C., Grosse Holtforth, M., & David, D. (2016). Irrational beliefs and psychological distress: a meta-analysis. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 85(1), 8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Jia, F., Fang, R., Zhu, Y., & Huang, Y. (1999). Comparative study of rational-emotive therapy for 95 patients with dysthymic disorder. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 13, 172–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P. S., Lane, M., Olfson, M., Pincus, H. A., Wells, K. B., & Kessler, R. C. (2005). Twelve-month use of mental health services in the United States: Results from the national comorbidity survey replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 629–640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Daniel O. David & Silviu A. Matu

  2. Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

    Daniel O. David

  3. Laboratory of Cognitive Clinical Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

    Ioana R. Podina

  4. Evidence-Based Assessment and Psychological Interventions Doctoral School and The International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Răzvan M. Predatu

Authors
  1. Daniel O. David
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Silviu A. Matu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ioana R. Podina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Răzvan M. Predatu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel O. David .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Michael E. Bernard

  2. Goldsmiths University of London, London, UK

    Windy Dryden

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

David, D.O., Matu, S.A., Podina, I.R., Predatu, R.M. (2019). Future Research Directions for REBT. In: Bernard, M.E., Dryden, W. (eds) Advances in REBT. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93118-0_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation