Tímarit hjúkrunarfræðinga - 2021, Page 76

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective
conversational therapy used for mental distress.
The aim of this study was to explore women’s
experiences of the effect of CBT and the impact on
women’s mental well-being.
This was a qualitative study, using the Vancouver
school. Participants were eight women recruited
by a purposeful sample from two primary health
care clinics in the capital area of Iceland. The
women were between 26 and 47 years old and
had been dealing with mental distress. They had
all completed a six-week course of CBT offered at
the primary health care clinics. Each woman was
interviewed once for the study.
The main theme was: Managing the anxiety but
not let it control. Describing the experience of
CBT therapy among women with mental distress.
Five themes emerged: To make the best out of the
situation; to cope with the anxiety and not give it
permission to control; the support and follow-up
makes all the difference; Coping and different ways
to cope with the situation. The results indicate
that the women had a positive experience from
the CBT and most described a positive experience
in coping with anxiety and not letting the anxiety
It is important that primary health care clinics
continue to improve and strengthen the mental
health services offered to women who are
struggling with mental distress. The CBT therapy
seems to give good results and be an effective
treatment.
Aim
ENGLISH SUMMARY
Managing the anxiety:
The experience of Icelandic women with mental distress of
the effects of using cognitive behavioural therapy offered by
a primary health care clinic
Method
Results
Key words:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), experience,
women, mental distress, primary health clinic.
Correspondent:
Þórunn Erla Ómarsdóttir
thorunn.erla.omarsdottir@heilsugaeslan.is
Conclusion
“This changed my life”.
Ómarsdóttir, Þ. E., Karlsdottir, S. I., Jonsdottir, S. S.
control them. The women tried to improve their
well-being and situation after they went through
the CBT as well as support and follow-up offered
from healthcare professionals at the primary health
care clinic. Many were more conscious on how to
improve their well-being and became more socially
active.