With its proven track record of success, Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT) represents a valuable and accessible tool for promoting mental health and well-being among young people. Yet, the impact of this treatment on cognitive fusion and cognitive avoidance in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) remains unexplored. This study aimed to assess the influence of IRRT on cognitive fusion and cognitive avoidance in female students diagnosed with GAD in Kurdistan province. The targeted intervention of IRRT provides a supportive environment for individuals to address and reprocess negative emotions, potentially breaking the cycle of anxiety and nurturing a more positive and resilient mindset. In this quasi-experimental study, thirty participants were selectively chosen and randomly allocated to treatment and no-treatment groups. The treatment group underwent 12 sessions of IRRT, while the no-treatment group received no treatment. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post-hoc test revealed significant enhancements in cognitive fusion, cognitive avoidance, and related subcomponents during post-test and follow-up assessments (p < 0.01). Notably, no significant impacts were observed on thought suppression and distraction components (p > 0.05). The findings emphasize the beneficial effects of IRRT in reducing cognitive fusion and cognitive avoidance among students with GAD.
