Cantonese tone-variation for cognitive defusion, and the role of psychological flexibility in a group of university students with mental health risks

Abstract

This study focused on the effectiveness of a newly designed Cantonese cognitive defusion technique in reducing the believability and discomfort from self-critical thoughts. The relationship between self-compassion, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion and mental health symptoms was studied among a mental health risk sample of university students. The mediating role of psychological flexibility on cognitive fusion was examined. The study had two phases: Phase I screening and Phase II experiment. A total of 289 students completed Phase I and 190 of them was selected as mental health risk group. There were 66 participants from the mental health risk group attended Phase II. Experimental results supported the effectiveness of the newly designed Cantonese tone-variation cognitive defusion in reducing the impact of self-criticism. The effectiveness was similar to that of the Titchener’s rapid word-repetition cognitive defusion technique. It implied that the newly designed technique could deliteralise negative thoughts that one fused with. With carefully designed cognitive defusion that could be used in local context, practitioners then have a range of techniques that could be used creatively and flexibly. Correlational analysis results showed significant relationship among self-compassion, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion and mental health symptoms in the at risk group. Furthermore, the role of psychological flexibility in mediating the effect of self-compassion on cognitive fusion was found. Through understanding the mechanism and process of change in distressed people, early identification and early intervention shall be warranted.