Effectiveness of a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy-Based Recovery Promotion Program for Psychiatric Inpatients: A Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND: To support early recovery and community reintegration among psychiatric inpatients, it is essential to provide structured and intensive psychosocial interventions during hospitalization. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)-based recovery promotion program for psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design with non-synchronized data collection was used. Participants included 38 psychiatric inpatients (19 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group) from two psychiatric hospitals in South Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 27.0, with repeated measures ANOVA and generalized estimating equations to examine pre- and post-intervention changes between groups. RESULTS: The REBT-based recovery promotion program produced statistically significant effects on meaning in life and recovery. No statistically significant effects were observed for internalized stigma or depression. CONCLUSIONS: The REBT-based recovery promotion program is recommended to be used in nursing practice for psychiatric inpatients when the goals are to increase meaning in life and recovery. Nursing professionals can integrate the REBT-based recovery promotion program into standard psychiatric care to help psychiatric inpatients enhance meaning in life and facilitate recovery.