Effect Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among English Language Students In South East, Nigeria

Authors

  • Ukoha, Evelyn Oziri
  • Uloh-Bethels, Annah Chinyeaka
  • Okon Etim Okon
  • Ossai, Rosemary Chidimma
  • Mbegbu, Chekwube Chiebonam
  • Ojo Oluwaseun Dolapo
  • Obera, Joy Aladi
  • Obayi, Joy Ifeadikanwa
  • Nwafor, Chidinma Kalu
  • Menakaya, Cherechi Miracle
  • Okoyeukwu, Ngozi Georgina
  • Onwuegbuchulam, Adaobi Chinenyenwa
  • Odezue, Loveth Ogechukwu
  • Agbo Philomina Akudo; Eze Kingsley Onyebuchi

Keywords:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Psychotherapeutic Intervention, Trauma Recovery Strategies, Secondary School Learners, Mental Health in Education, Emotional Regulation Skills, Stress Management in Adolescents, Lear

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) on posttraumatic stress disorder among English language students in South East, Nigeria: a randomized controlled trial. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 48 participants in the CBT group and a comparable control group. Data were collected using the PTSD Checklist before and after the intervention. Paired sample t-test results showed a significant within-group reduction in PTSD symptoms among CBT participants (p < .001). These findings suggest that while CBT may support symptom improvement, the observed effects may also result from natural recovery or placebo responses.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the Effect of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among English Language Students in the South East region of Nigeria. Grounded in Aaron Beck's cognitive theory, CBT aims to identify and modify distorted cognitions related to traumatic experiences. The study seeks to fill a significant gap in the literature by specifically examining the application of CBT for English language students in this unique cultural and educational context.

Methods: The study employed a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design to assess the impact of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) on PTSD among English language students in South East, Nigeria. Participants were randomly assigned to either the CBT intervention group or a control group, with PTSD symptoms measured at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).

Results: The study found a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms in the CBT group compared to the control group, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention. However, the difference in post-intervention scores between the two groups did not reach statistical significance when baseline scores were accounted for.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that CBT is a promising therapeutic approach for reducing PTSD symptoms among English language students in South East, Nigeria.

Abbreviations: PTSD: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, CBT: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, PCL-5: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial, WHO: World Health OrganizationTop of Form

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Published

2025-09-10

How to Cite

1.
Oziri UE, Annah Chinyeaka U-B, Okon OE, Chidimma OR, Chiebonam MC, Dolapo OO, et al. Effect Of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among English Language Students In South East, Nigeria. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 10 [cited 2026 Apr. 17];14(8):886-98. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/9122

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 8 (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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