Comparison of First and Second Language Metaphors Efficiency for Metaphor Therapy in Bilingual with Depression Disorder

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Abstract

Introduction: Recently one of the most interesting topics in cognitive psychology is the metaphor. Because of their cognitive properties, metaphors were applied in psychological therapy. For the reason that metaphors in different languages are relative to their culture, this research compares application of first and second language metaphors through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T) in depressed bilinguals. Method: 19 depressed bilingual (Iranian Azary Turkish) patients from 3 psychological clinics in Tehran were selected by accessible sampling and according to subjects’ characteristics. Beck Depression Inventory, Raven’s progressive matrices test, linguistic applied competences inventory and demographic inventory were conduct to gathering basic level data. The subjects were divided into two groups and the complete cognitive therapy protocol conducted but first group (n=8) received Persian metaphors and second one (n=11) received Turkish metaphors. The value of Beck Depression Inventory after therapy period was compared with basic level through covariance analysis. Results: Findings showed reduction in participants’ scores of Beck Depression Inventory of two groups, in compare of before therapy. Also covariance analysis showed a significant difference between tow groups at post test. Conclusion: The implications of these results are discussed with respect to the utility of applying cultural congruent metaphors in cognitive therapy for depression.

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