Introduction: Externalizing behavioral problems like impulsiveness and anger are prevalent among people with bipolar I disorder. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy alone versus a combined treatment approach of pharmacotherapy and cognitive-emotional regulation group therapy on impulsivity and anger in patients with bipolar I disorder..
Methods: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. The statistical population consisted of all patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder admitted to the psychiatric ward of Payambaran Hospital in Tehran in 2024. Using purposive sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to either a pharmacotherapy group (n=15) or a combined treatment group (cognitive emotional regulation group therapy plus pharmacotherapy, n=15). The group therapy protocol was based on Gross’s (2007) cognitive emotional regulation model. Data were collected using structured clinical interviews, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (1995), and the Sukhodolsky Anger Assessment Questionnaire (2001). Data analysis was performed in SPSS v.21 using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.
Results: The results indicated that pharmacotherapy significantly improved impulsivity (MD = 3.333, P = 0.001) and anger (MD = 2.133, P = 0.001), with sustained effects on impulsivity (MD = -0.333, P = 0.069) and anger (MD = -0.333, P = 0.209). Additionally, the combined treatment (cognitive-emotional regulation group therapy plus pharmacotherapy) significantly improved impulsivity (MD = 8.267, P = 0.001) and anger (MD = 4.933, P = 0.001), with sustained effects on impulsivity (MD = -0.133, P = 0.456) and anger (MD = 0.067, P = 0.799). The combined treatment showed greater effectiveness than pharmacotherapy alone for impulsivity (F = 13.524, P = 0.001) and anger (F = 20.186, P = 0.001)..
Conclusion: Based on the findings, it appears that integrating cognitive-emotional regulation group therapy with standard pharmacotherapy can enhance treatment effectiveness in managing impulsivity and anger in patients with bipolar I disorder..
Montazer S, Karbalaee Mohammad Meigouni A, Seirafi M R. Effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy Compared to Combined Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Group Therapy on Impulsivity and Anger in Patients with Bipolar I Disorder. IJPN 2025; 13 (5) URL: http://ijpn.ir/article-1-2605-en.html