A randomized trial of group therapy for resource activation for patients with affective disorder.

Abstract

Resource activation is a common factor of psychotherapy and has an effect on the treatment success regardless of the specific orientation. A balanced focus on resources and problems seems to constitute a promising therapy method. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel group therapy for resource activation (GTRA) for inpatients with unipolar depressive and bipolar affective disorders experiencing a depressive episode. Primary outcome criteria were the change in resources and in depression severity. Eighty-nine patients with unipolar depressive and bipolar affective disorders (57.3% female, mean age = 39.9 years) took part in a randomized, controlled trial comparing GTRA plus treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU alone. A comparison of the intervention (GTRA plus TAU) and control group (TAU) showed significantly higher improvements over time in "current relationships" and "fostering self-esteem" in the intervention group but no significant group differences in depression severity. Over the course of the GTRA, participants reported positive experiences of coping and clarification and showed significant increases in problem activation and improvements in subjective session outcomes. This study can be understood as a preliminary effort to pave the way for further refinement and testing of GTRA for patients with affective disorders in addition to TAU in an inpatient care setting. Future research should focus on improving the efficacy of the GTRA by varying different therapy components (e.g., the duration of the GTRA).

Development, piloting and evaluation of an app-supported psychosocial prevention intervention to strengthen participation in working life: a study protocol of a mixed-methods approach

“…Digital health is a promising approach to increase the utilisation and quality of prevention interventions by using information and communication technologies to meet health-related needs 21. Studies have shown that psychosocial aspects can be strengthened during inpatient treatment with the application of various therapies or elements such as individual or group training or psychoeducation 22–24. In addition, positive outcomes have been demonstrated for digitally supported mental health prevention interventions using a variety of therapeutic or psychoeducational elements 25–27.…”

“…21 Studies have shown that psychosocial aspects can be strengthened during inpatient treatment with the application of various therapies or elements such as individual or group training or psychoeducation. [22][23][24] In addition, positive outcomes have been demonstrated for digitally supported mental health prevention interventions using a variety of therapeutic or psychoeducational elements. [25][26][27] Among the digitally supported prevention interventions that were not exclusively related to work, various outcomes were examined in employees, such as work stress, 25 perceived stress, 26 anxiety and quality of life, 27 which are either related to or exacerbated by the work environment.…”

Internal and external self-affirmation resources: validation and assessment of psychometric properties of the spontaneous self-affirmation measure using structural equation modeling

“…Resource activation is used, among other things, in positive psychotherapy and strength-based approaches, involving the activation of positive emotions, character strengths, positive relationships and intrinsically motivated accomplishments ( Rashid, 2015 ). Grawe (1997) describes resource activation as an unspecific cross-therapeutic mechanism of action in psychotherapy and its positive effects have been demonstrated in numerous studies (e.g., Goldbach et al, 2023 ). In the literature, resources are frequently divided into personal/individual (internal) and social (external) resources (e.g., Martin, 2002 ; Holmgreen et al, 2017 ; Salgado et al, 2022 ; Siegwart et al, 2022 ).…”