Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy for Individuals With Deafblindness and Progressive Vision Loss

Introduction: Individuals who are deafblind with progressive visual conditions are presented with the challenge of adjusting to the gradual loss of sight and the social, psychological, environmental, and communicative implications relative to that process. Mental health treatment to address these implications with individuals who are deafblind is not widely researched, therefore, exploratory studies are necessary. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has been successful in addressing a range of symptoms in psychological and medical diagnoses but has not been researched with individuals who are deafblind. Methods: In this multiple baseline design study, the researcher delivered a 6-week REBT intervention to investigate its effect on symptoms of emotional distress, rational and irrational beliefs, and acceptance and adjustment toward vision loss, with three participants who consented to participate. The intervention was conducted on a videoconferencing platform once a week for approximately 60 min per session. Results: Participants effect sizes were as follows: in order of presentation, Outcome Questionnaire (OQ), RIBS Irrational Beliefs Scale (IB), RIBS Rational Beliefs Scale (RB), Acceptance and Self-Worth Adjustment Scale (AS-WAS): participant one = 93%, 98% 100%, and 98%; participant two = 69%, 93%, 56%, and 81%; and participant three = 17%, 38%, 29%, and 47%. The correlation between irrational beliefs and emotional distress was observed in the direction anticipated, but it was not significant among all three participants. Discussion: The intervention resulted in improvement for two out of the three participants, with little improvement observed in one individual. Implications for Practitioners: The study outlines accommodations and modifications to therapy, as well as a an evidence-based treatment that may be helpful to individuals who are deafblind and are experiencing emotional distress secondary to progressive vision loss.