A comparison of RET group therapy, RET group therapy with bibliotherapy, and bibliotherapy only treatments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of adjunct bibliotherapy with RET group therapy and bibliotherapy without RET group therapy in the treatment of college students with self-concept problems. Thirty college students from Texas A&M University, who responded to a notice asking for people with problems in self-concept, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 (RET with therapeutic reading) received RET group therapy, meeting once a week for two hours over five weeks, and read A New Guide to Rational Living by Ellis and Harper. Group 2 (RET with placebo bibliotherapy) received RET group therapy but was assigned The Social Animal by Aronson to read. Group 3 (therapeutic bibliotherapy only) was assigned A New Guide to Rational Living to read with no other treatment. The dependent measures included Rotter's Locus of Control Scale, Rational Behavior Inventory, Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Self-Evaluation Scale, and the Ego Strength Scale of the MMPI. Analysis of covariance revealed no significant differences among the three groups on any of the dependent measures after treatment and on a one-month follow-up. Thus, it was concluded that with college students with self-concept problems, therapeutic reading alone may be sufficient and group therapy is not needed. Recommendations for future research with bibliotherapy and a discussion of implications and problems with this study were also given.