فصلنامه روانشناسی شناختی

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common and disabling psychiatric conditions in adolescence, strongly associated with cognitive-emotional constructs such as thought–action fusion (TAF) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU). The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and metacognitive therapy (MCT) on these constructs among female high school students with OCD. The research design was quasi-experimental with a pre-test–post-test control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all female high school students in Babolsar during the 2023–2024 academic year diagnosed with OCD through psychiatric evaluation and clinical interviews. A total of 45 students were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups (15 EFT, 15 MCT, and 15 control). The research instruments included the Thought–Action Fusion Scale–Revised (TAFS-R) and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). Both intervention groups received eight 90-minute sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. The results showed that both EFT and MCT significantly reduced TAF and IU compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Moreover, MCT was more effective in reducing TAF, whereas EFT had a stronger impact on reducing IU. These findings highlight the importance of applying emotion-focused and metacognitive approaches in improving cognitive-emotional mechanisms of OCD in adolescents and suggest tailored interventions based on patients’ specific needs.