Cognitive, assertive, and insight-oriented group therapies in the treatment of reactive depression in women.

Abstract

Thirty-three non-psychotic, non-suicidal women (mean age 35.1 years) who scored between 15 and31 on the Beck Depression Inventory and whose depression was situationally related were assigned to either six week cognitive, assertive or insight-oriented group therapy. Subjects were administered a standardized interview, the Beck Depression Inventory, Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, Personality Data Form, and four tape recorded scenes requiring an assertive response before and after the groups and at a two month follow-up. Results showed all groups improved significantly in depression (p < .001), rationality (p < .001), and assertiveness (p < .001). Assertive and insight groups improved significantly more in rationality regarding acceptance than the cognitive group (p < .05). Atfollow-up, none of the assertive group, 18% of the cognitive group and 45% of the insight group had sought further treatment. Additionally, the assertive group was significantly more rational regarding frustrating events and self worth (p < .05). The assertive and insight groups made significantly more gains and were more assertive than the cognitive group (p <C.O1). A three (change in depression)by three (treatmentgroup) ANOVA showed high-depression-change and medium-depression-change women changed significantly more in assertiveness (p < .01) and rationality (p < .01) than low-depression change women.Although depression ranks as one of the most prevalent of clinical problems, affecting women in far greater proportions than men (Weismann & Klerman, 1977), to date little empirical study has been done comparing the efficacy of the variety of psychological approaches used to treat depression.

The efficacy of group psychotherapy for depression: A meta-analysis and review of the empirical research.

“…In contrast, LaPointe and Rimm (1980) and Peterson and Halstead (1998) reported that initial depression level was not a significant predictor of improvement. However, these authors did not use regression analyses, which may account for why they drew different conclusions.…”

“…However, these authors did not use regression analyses, which may account for why they drew different conclusions. LaPointe and Rimm (1980), for example, correlated the amount of change in the BDI with posttreatment BDI and found that these two variables were not significantly correlated. Peterson and Halstead grouped participants according to whether or not their initial BDI score exceeded 10 or 17.…”

The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update

“…Earlier studies tended to show negligible differences between PDT and CBT, but the trials were too small and reporting too limited to permit reliable inferences about equivalence or even superiority . If CBT is superior to PDT, it is so only in very brief (8‐session) implementations .…”

Assertiveness training: A forgotten evidence‐based treatment.

“…Another outcome study examining the efficacy of group assertiveness training compared to traditional group psychotherapy in treating depression found that at one-month follow-up, the assertiveness group displayed increased self-reported comfort with assertiveness and greater likeliness to engage in assertive behaviors compared to a traditional psychotherapy group (Sanchez et al, 1980). In addition to improvement in depressive symptoms and increased assertive behavior, LaPointe and Rimm (1980) found that depressed women assigned to assertiveness training, compared to cognitive or insightoriented treatment, displayed more rational thinking and acceptance, and were significantly less likely to seek out further treatment at follow-up. In addition to improvement in depressive symptoms and increased assertive behavior, LaPointe and Rimm (1980) found that depressed women assigned to assertiveness training, compared to cognitive or insightoriented treatment, displayed more rational thinking and acceptance, and were significantly less likely to seek out further treatment at follow-up.…”