Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on Experiential Avoidance, Psychological Symptoms, and Emotional Schemas in Suicide-Loss Survivors

Somayeh Aminian Mohammadi; Parvaneh Mohammadkhani; Mohsen Saeidmanesh; Azade Abooei

Authors

Somayeh Aminian Mohammadi PhD Student in Psychology, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3946-5284
Parvaneh Mohammadkhani Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6489-0987
Mohsen Saeidmanesh Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4984-3343
Azade Abooei Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9069-041X

Keywords:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, experiential avoidance, psychological symptoms, emotional schemas, suicide bereavement

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in reducing experiential avoidance, psychological symptoms, and negative emotional schemas among suicide-loss survivors.

Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up was used. Thirty suicide-loss survivors were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an EMDR group or a control group (15 participants per group). Participants completed the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Leahy Emotional Schemas Scale. The EMDR group received ten weekly 60-minute sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Outcomes were assessed at pretest, posttest, and follow-up and analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS version 24.

Findings: Mean scores for experiential avoidance, psychological symptoms, and negative emotional schemas decreased in the EMDR group at posttest and follow-up relative to pretest, whereas the control group showed little change. Group effects at posttest and follow-up were statistically significant (p < .05). Reported effect sizes at posttest and follow-up were .230 and .189 for experiential avoidance, .880 and .540 for psychological symptoms, and .450 and .230 for emotional schemas, respectively.

Conclusion: EMDR was effective in reducing experiential avoidance, psychological symptoms, and negative emotional schemas among individuals bereaved by suicide. The findings support the potential clinical value of EMDR as a trauma-focused intervention for the psychological consequences of suicide bereavement.

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