MANAGEMENT OF NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE USING RATIONAL EMOTIVE AND BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY AND ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING

Objective: Dissatisfaction with real or imagine defect in physical appearance could lead to manifestation of negative self-image. This study thus presented an eight session account of management strategies for negative self-image. Method: The following psychological test instruments were administered to 200 participants - Negative Self-image Inventory (NSII); Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE); Index of Self Esteem (ISE); Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ); Physical Self-Efficacy Scale (PSE); Social Maladjustment Scale (SMS) and Adjective Checklist (ACL). Those that manifested high negative self-image (30 participants), were assigned randomly into three groups of: 1st treatment, 2nd treatment (placebo) and control groups of 10 participants each, comprising 5 males and 5 females. Participants were managed with cognitive emotive and behavioural therapy and assertivess training method. Collectively, the treatment sessions lasted 8 weeks. Therapy was in group therapy format, which gave room for guidance, insight, acceptance, ventilation of feelings, instillation of hope, selfdisclosure, and interaction. Result: The 1st treatment group recorded significant reduction in negative self-image and its correlates - fear of negative evaluation and social maladjustment than 2nd treatment and control groups. Conclusion: Rational Emotive and Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and Assertiveness Training were found to be efficacious in the management of negative self-image