Effects of structured group psychotherapy on symptoms and social function of patients with mild to moderate depression / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of structured group psychotherapy on symptoms and social function of patients with mild to moderate depression.Methods:Sixty patients with mild to moderate depression who received treatment in Department of Psychiatry of the Third People's Hospital of Yongkang from June 2019 to May 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to receive either conventional antidepressants ( n = 30, control group) or conventional antidepressants combined with structured group psychotherapy ( n = 30, observation group). The Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to compare the anxiety state, depression state and coping style between the two groups. Results:Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire scores in the observation group were (44.21 ± 4.15) points, (45.28 ± 5.16) points, (12.41 ± 2.16) points, (9.75 ± 2.83) points, and (10.35 ± 2.23) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(51.14 ± 4.39) points, (53.64 ± 5.31) points, (16.73 ± 2.54) points, (14.18 ± 2.72) points, (14.73 ± 2.54) points, t = 6.283, 6.184, 7.097, 6.182, 7.375, all P < 0.001]. Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(31.42 ± 4.43) points vs. (24.16 ± 4.27) points, t = 7.432, P < 0.001]. Conclusion:Structured group psychotherapy combined with conventional antidepressant therapy for treatment of mild to moderate depression can greatly reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve the coping style.