Volume 23, Issue 4 (3-2026)
RBS 2026, 23(4): 638-649 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Dehghan E, Adelifard F, NafarDastgerdi B, Talebianfar S, Masrour F. The Effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting of Memories on Grief Intensity, Intrusive Mental Images, and Grief-Related Avoidance in Individuals with Complicated Grief Disorder. RBS 2026; 23 (4) :638-649
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2069-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2069-en.html
Elham Dehghan1 
, Forough Adelifard *2 , Behnaz NafarDastgerdi3 , Shirin Talebianfar3 , Fatemeh Masrour4
, Forough Adelifard *2 , Behnaz NafarDastgerdi3 , Shirin Talebianfar3 , Fatemeh Masrour4
1- Department of Clinical Psychology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran
2- Department of Clinical Psychology, Sar.C., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
3- IAU
4- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, QoMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.
2- Department of Clinical Psychology, Sar.C., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
3- IAU
4- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, QoMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.
Abstract: (65 Views)
Aim and Background: Complicated Grief Disorder (CGD) is a new diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11, characterized by symptoms such as intense yearning for the deceased, intrusive mental images, and avoidance of loss-related reminders. Given the limited response to existing treatments, there is a perceived need for novel and culturally-adapted approaches. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) of memories in reducing grief intensity, intrusive mental images, and grief-related avoidance in individuals diagnosed with Complicated Grief Disorder
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and follow-up assessments. After screening and clinical interviews (SCID-5), 64 eligible individuals from the 3rd and 17th districts of Tehran city were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Imagery Rescripting of memories) or the control group (waitlist). The intervention was conducted over eight sessions. Assessments were carried out at pretest, posttest, one-month follow-up, and three-month follow-up stages using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Intrusive Images subscale of the Impact of Event Scale (IES), and the Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief (DAAPG) scale. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.
Findings: The results indicated that Imagery Rescripting of memories led to a significant reduction in grief intensity, intrusive mental images, and behavioral and cognitive avoidance. These effects remained stable at the one-month and three-month follow-ups, with effect sizes indicating the clinical significance of the changes.
Conclusions: Imagery Rescripting of memories can be used as a novel and effective approach in the treatment of Complicated Grief Disorder. By reducing the emotional burden of memories and enhancing an individual's sense of control, this method improves the quality of life for the bereaved. Particularly in non-Western cultural contexts, it can help increase treatment acceptance and reduce dropout rates.
Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and follow-up assessments. After screening and clinical interviews (SCID-5), 64 eligible individuals from the 3rd and 17th districts of Tehran city were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Imagery Rescripting of memories) or the control group (waitlist). The intervention was conducted over eight sessions. Assessments were carried out at pretest, posttest, one-month follow-up, and three-month follow-up stages using the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Intrusive Images subscale of the Impact of Event Scale (IES), and the Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief (DAAPG) scale. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.
Findings: The results indicated that Imagery Rescripting of memories led to a significant reduction in grief intensity, intrusive mental images, and behavioral and cognitive avoidance. These effects remained stable at the one-month and three-month follow-ups, with effect sizes indicating the clinical significance of the changes.
Conclusions: Imagery Rescripting of memories can be used as a novel and effective approach in the treatment of Complicated Grief Disorder. By reducing the emotional burden of memories and enhancing an individual's sense of control, this method improves the quality of life for the bereaved. Particularly in non-Western cultural contexts, it can help increase treatment acceptance and reduce dropout rates.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/12/18 | Accepted: 2026/02/20 | Published: 2026/03/1
Received: 2025/12/18 | Accepted: 2026/02/20 | Published: 2026/03/1
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |