Adding Mindfulness to CBT in Group Counseling: A Randomized Pilot Study on Self-Efficacy, Cognitive Flexibility, and Self-Compassion

This study examined the impact of an eight-session group counseling program that combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation on three key aspects: self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion. The study group consisted of 17 university students from several faculties at a public university in Southern Anatolia, Türkiye. The data were gathered using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. The experimental group engaged in an 8-week program that combined CBT and mindfulness-based group counseling, whereas the control group rThis study examined the impact of an eight-session group counseling program that combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation on three key aspects: self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion. The study group consisted of 17 university students from several faculties at a public university in Southern Anatolia, Türkiye. The data were gathered using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. The experimental group engaged in an 8-week program that combined CBT and mindfulness-based group counseling, whereas the control group receiveThis study examined the impact of an eight-session group counseling program that combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness meditation on three key aspects: self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion. The study group consisted of 17 university students from several faculties at a public university in Southern Anatolia, Türkiye. The data were gathered using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale. The experimental group engaged in an 8-week program that combined CBT and mindfulness-based group counseling, whereas the control group received no intervention. The results of this study indicated that, in the experimental group, participants’ self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores. The results also suggest that although no significant differences were obtained in self-efficacy post-test scores between the experimental and control groups, participants who received the intervention demonstrated higher post-test scores in cognitive flexibility and self-compassion than those in the control group.d no intervention. The results of this study indicated that, in the experimental group, participants’ self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores. The results also suggest that although no significant differences were obtained in self-efficacy post-test scores between the experimental and control groups, participants who received the intervention demonstrated higher post-test scores in cognitive flexibility and self-compassion than those in theeceived no intervention. The results of this study indicated that, in the experimental group, participants’ self-efficacy, cognitive flexibility, and self-compassion post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores. The results also suggest that although no significant differences were obtained in self-efficacy post-test scores between the experimental and control groups, participants who received the intervention demonstrated higher post-test scores in cognitive flexibility and self-compassion than those in the control group.