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Journal of Public Health & Environment

Volume 6, 2023 - Issue 2

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The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

by Raquel Dougherty 1,*
1
University of Zilina
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
JPHE  2023 6(2):223; https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxxx
Received: 8 August 2023 / Accepted: 1 September 2023 / Published Online: 23 November 2023
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Abstract

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a leading intervention for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), targeting maladaptive cognitive patterns and behavioral responses to reduce excessive worry and anxiety symptoms. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of CBT in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving overall functioning in individuals with GAD. Through an extensive literature review, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of CBT compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, treatment as usual, relaxation therapy) in targeting GAD symptoms, including worry severity, somatic symptoms, and impairment in daily functioning. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment duration, therapist experience, treatment format (individual vs. group), and participant characteristics (e.g., age, comorbidities), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of CBT for GAD.

Keywords: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; CBT; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; GAD; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trials; psychological intervention;
Copyright: © 2023 by Dougherty. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

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ACS Style
Dougherty, R. The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Public Health & Environment, 2023, 6, 223. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxxx
AMA Style
Dougherty R. The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Public Health & Environment; 2023, 6(2):223. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxxx
Chicago/Turabian Style
Dougherty, Raquel 2023. "The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials" Journal of Public Health & Environment 6, no.2:223. doi:10.xxxx/xxxxxx

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