Psychological intervention for disputing irrational beliefs associated with work stress amongst tourism educators and mathematicians with hypertension.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) intervention significantly decreased stress levels and irrational beliefs among university lecturers with hypertension, with long-lasting benefits confirmed at follow-up.
Key Findings
Results
REBT intervention significantly reduced stress levels among university lecturers with hypertension.
Participants were drawn from private, state, and federal universities with a total sample of 93 staff members.
Participants included lecturers in tourism and hospitality management, educational scientists, and home economics and hospitality.
Stress was measured at three time points (Times 1, 2, and 3) using a repeated measures statistical analysis.
Participants' stress levels 'significantly decreased as a result of the REBT intervention.'
Significant differences were observed in participants' reactions to stress 'before and after the REBT session.'
Results
REBT intervention significantly reduced irrational beliefs among university lecturers with hypertension.
Irrational beliefs were assessed as one of two dependent measures at Times 1, 2, and 3.
Participants' 'illogical beliefs significantly decreased as a result of the REBT intervention.'
Significant differences in irrational beliefs were observed before and after the REBT sessions.
The study used a randomized controlled design to evaluate changes in irrational beliefs.
Results
The benefits of REBT were sustained over time, as confirmed by follow-up assessment.
A follow-up study was conducted as part of the three-time-point measurement design.
The follow-up findings 'confirm the long-lasting benefits of REBT and show the intervention's long-term influence.'
The specific duration between intervention and follow-up measurement is not specified in the abstract.
Long-term effects were observed for both stress reduction and elimination of irrational beliefs.
Methods
The study used a randomized controlled design to evaluate REBT among hypertensive university staff.
The study was described as 'a randomized controlled study.'
Total participants numbered 93 staff members from private, state, and federal universities.
Two dependent measures (stress and irrational beliefs) were assessed at three time points.
A repeated measures statistical analysis was used to evaluate participants' responses.
The target population focused on lecturers in specific university faculties with a diagnosis of hypertension.
Conclusions
REBT helped educators cultivate a positive mindset and eliminate irrational beliefs associated with work stress.
The study focused on work stress among employees with hypertension, noting it 'has a negative impact on their health, leading to ineffective and unsatisfactory work.'
REBT was described as helping 'educators cultivate a positive mindset, decrease stress, and eliminate irrational beliefs.'
The intervention targeted irrational beliefs specifically associated with work stress.
The study noted that employee hypertension and work stress can 'affect an organization's overall level of productivity.'
What This Means
This research suggests that a structured psychological treatment called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) can meaningfully reduce work-related stress and irrational thought patterns in university lecturers who have high blood pressure (hypertension). The study involved 93 academic staff from tourism, hospitality, educational science, and home economics departments across private, state, and federal universities. Participants were randomly assigned to groups, and their stress levels and irrational beliefs were measured at three different points in time before, during, and after the intervention.
The results showed that after receiving REBT, participants experienced significantly lower levels of both work stress and irrational beliefs compared to before the intervention. Importantly, these improvements were not short-lived — a follow-up assessment confirmed that the benefits persisted over time, suggesting that REBT has a lasting positive influence on how these educators think and respond to workplace pressures. The therapy appeared to help participants develop a more positive and realistic mindset.
This research matters because it highlights a potential tool for supporting the mental and physical health of university employees who face high job demands while also managing a chronic health condition like hypertension. Work stress and unhelpful thinking patterns can reduce both individual well-being and workplace productivity, and this study suggests that REBT-style interventions could be a practical approach for addressing these issues in academic settings. Further large-scale studies with longer follow-up periods would help confirm and extend these findings.
Ejikeme J, Igabari J, Ede K, Agu U, Omeje N, Obayi L, et al.. (2026). Psychological intervention for disputing irrational beliefs associated with work stress amongst tourism educators and mathematicians with hypertension.. Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000050776