Group Therapy Program Research Articles

Effectiveness of positive psychology interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT A meta-analysis of positive psychology intervention (PPIs) studies was conducted. PPIs were defined as interventions in which the goal of wellbeing enhancement was achieved through pathways consistent with positive psychology theory. Data were extracted from 347 studies involving over 72,000 participants from clinical and non-clinical child and adult populations in 41 countries. The effect of PPIs with an average of ten sessions over six weeks offered in multiple formats and contexts was evaluated. At post-test, PPIs had a significant small to medium effect on wellbeing (g = 0.39), strengths (g = 0.46), QoL (g = 0.48), depression (g = −0.39), anxiety (g = −0.62), and stress (g = −0.58). Gains were maintained at three months follow-up. Individuals in non-western countries with clinical problems, who engaged in longer individual or group therapy programs containing multiple PPIs benefited most. This meta-analysis shows that PPIs have an extensive evidence base supporting their effectiveness.

The Development and Process Evaluation of a 3-Day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group Program for Adolescent Cancer Survivors

BackgroundAdolescents diagnosed with cancer experience unique psychosocial concerns that persist beyond treatment completion into longer-term survivorship. Camp-based, group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) programs are a potential model for providing evidence-informed psychological and peer support to adolescent cancer survivors.ObjectiveThis paper describes the development and exploration of the feasibility and acceptability of such a program, Places You’ll Go. This manualised program incorporates five 90-min group ACT sessions within a 3-day camp, teaching ACT strategies in the context of psychosocial impacts of cancer.MethodEight facilitators and twenty-eight Australian adolescent cancer survivors (68% female; age range 12–17 years, M = 15.4 years) participated in the program and evaluation. Feasibility was assessed using facilitator-reported session duration, attendance, quality and content fidelity; facilitators also completed interviews after program completion. Young people completed surveys on program acceptability at the end of each session and at program completion.ResultsAll planned sessions were delivered, with 97% attendance and high fidelity in manualised program delivery. All young people were mostly or very satisfied and would recommend the program to another cancer survivor. Opportunities for peer connection and skill development contributed to perceived program acceptability.ConclusionsThe Places You’ll Go program was acceptable and feasible to deliver. It is a promising community-based model for promoting peer support and well-being in adolescent cancer survivors, indicating the potential of ACT-based approaches for this population. Further work is underway to evaluate whether the program improves psychosocial wellbeing among participants, and if this is linked to the therapeutic mechanisms underpinning ACT.

Effect of a Videoconference-Based Online Group Intervention for Traumatic Stress in Parents of Children With Life-threatening Illness

A substantial proportion of parents whose child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness experience high levels of distress that can lead to long-term mental health difficulties. This can affect the child's recovery. To evaluate the efficacy of an acceptance and commitment therapy-based group intervention, delivered using videoconferencing, in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in these parents. This study was a randomized clinical trial of an intervention for parents with elevated acute stress symptoms. It was a single-site study conducted in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Australia. Parents of children aged 0 to 18 years admitted for a life-threatening illness or injury to the oncology, cardiology, or pediatric intensive care departments were eligible. Participants were screened for eligibility within the first month after diagnosis or admission and then were randomized to the intervention group or the waiting list control group 4 to 10 months after diagnosis or admission. Recruitment commenced January 2014, and final postintervention follow-up was completed in February 2018. Data analysis was performed from July to September 2018. Treatment was a psychological acceptance and commitment therapy-based group therapy program called Take a Breath, which consisted of a 6-session parent-mediated psychological intervention delivered via online videoconferences over the course of 8 weeks. Waiting list control participants received treatment as usual and were offered the intervention 3 months after randomization. The primary outcome was PTSS, as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Version 5 (total score range, 0-80, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity). The PTSS was measured both before and immediately after the intervention. Changes in psychological skills taught within the intervention were also evaluated, including acceptance, mindfulness, values-based living, and psychological flexibility. Of 1232 parents who were assessed for eligibility, 313 were randomized; 161 were allocated to the waiting list control group, and 152 were allocated to the intervention group. Of those allocated, 44 parents in the waiting list group and 37 in the intervention group completed the postintervention questionnaire and were analyzed (81 participants total; mean [SD] age, 37.17 [6.43] years). Sixty-five participants (80.2%) were women, 48 participants (59.3%) were married, and 40 participants (49.4%) lived in rural or regional areas, or in a different state. In addition, 24 parents (29.6%) were in the cardiology illness group, 32 parents (39.5%) were in the oncology group, and 25 parents (30.9%) were in the pediatric intensive care unit group. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in PTSS compared with the waiting list group (Cohen d = 1.10; 95% CI, 0.61-1.59; P = .03). The mean Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Version 5 scores decreased from 31.7 (95% CI, 27.0-36.4) to 26.2 (95% CI, 21.8-30.7) in the waiting list control group and from 23.3 (95% CI, 18.6-28.1) to 17.8 (95% CI, 13.8-21.8) in the intervention group. The findings of this study support the use of acceptance and commitment therapy to reduce PTSS in parents of very ill children, regardless of diagnosis. These findings also suggest that a brief, group format using a videoconferencing platform can be used effectively to access hard-to-reach populations, particularly fathers and caregivers living in nonmetropolitan areas. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: ACTRN12611000090910.

Feasibility of behavioral activation group therapy in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with depression: the BRAVE pilot trial

BackgroundDepression impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide. Behavioral activation (BA), derived from cognitive behavioral therapy, has the potential for improving depressive symptoms in patients with depression. Studies evaluating the effectiveness of BA specifically in the context of group therapy programs in a hospital setting for patients with depression are limited. In this study, we report findings from a pilot trial evaluating group BA for major depressive disorder.ObjectiveThe objectives of this pilot trial are to assess the potential of a full trial of BA group therapy in a large-scale tertiary care setting and to provide preliminary information about possible results regarding mood symptoms and quality of life in adults with depression.MethodsUsing a parallel single-cohort pragmatic pilot randomized controlled trial design, we evaluated the potential of conducting a large trial of BA effectiveness among adults with depression. Participants were randomized to the intervention (BA in addition to usual care) or control (support group in addition to usual care) groups and were assessed weekly for 18 consecutive weeks. Participants randomized to intervention underwent 28 2-h group BA therapy visits administered by trained therapists and completed assessments to examine treatment outcomes. Feasibility was measured in terms of enrollment rates (min. 20%), completion rates of study (min. 80%), and completion rates of weekly measurement scales (min. 80%). The reporting of this pilot trial is in accordance with the CONSORT extension for randomized pilot and feasibility trials.ResultsWe randomized 20 individuals of mean age of 48.8 years (standard deviation = 9.7) with a DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder to intervention (n = 10) or control (n = 10) groups. Based on our feasibility criteria, our recruitment rate was excellent (20/27; 74%), study completion was found to be a moderate (80% of the total participants in both arms completed the study; BA = 100%, control = 60%), and completeness of measurements on a weekly basis was adequate overall (82%; BA = 86%, control = 79%).ConclusionsThe study has demonstrated the potential feasibility to perform a larger scale trial upon modifications to the control group to avoid the low rate of study completion (60%) in this group.Trial registrationClinicalTrials NCT02045771, Registered January 22, 2014

The Effect of Hopelessness and Perceived Group Compatibility on Treatment Outcome for Patients With Personality Dysfunction.

Improvement in life satisfaction is hard to achieve for any patient with personality psychopathology, and possibly even moreso for those who feel hopeless at the start of treatment. The present research investigated the potential influence of hopelessness in the treatment of patients with personality dysfunction, using data from patients who completed an intensive group therapy program designed to reduce symptom distress and support optimal psychosocial functioning (N = 80). In the present study, we sought to examine whether hopelessness would moderate (i.e., strengthen or weaken) relations between compatibility ratings and life satisfaction outcome. Hopelessness had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between compatibility and outcome, suggesting that, for patients who entered treatment feeling more hopeless, higher appraisals of fit within the group facilitated better gains in life satisfaction. If replicated, the findings underlie the importance of focusing on increasing hope and perceived group affiliation in the treatment of personality dysfunction.

Pilot trial of a group cognitive behavioural therapy program for comorbid depression and obesity

BackgroundDepression and obesity are significant global health concerns that commonly occur together. An integrated group cognitive behavioural therapy program was therefore developed to simultaneously address comorbid depression and obesity.MethodsTwenty-four participants (63% women, mean age 46 years) who screened positively for depression with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited from a self-referred general population sample. The group therapy program (10 two-hour weekly sessions) was examined in a single-arm, before-after pilot trial, conducted in a behavioural health clinic in Adelaide, Australia. Primary outcomes included survey and assessment-based analyses of depression, anxiety, body image, self-esteem, and weight (kg), assessed at four time-points: baseline, post-intervention, three-months and 12-months post program. Eighteen participants (75%) completed the program and all assessments.ResultsSignificant improvements in depression, anxiety, self-esteem and body shape concern scores, several quality of life domains, eating behaviours and total physical activity (among others) – but not weight – were observed over the course of the trial.ConclusionsResults from this pilot trial suggest that combining interventions for depression and obesity may be useful. Further development of the program, particularly regarding the potential for physical health benefits, and a randomised controlled trial, are warranted.Trial registrationTrial registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12617001079336, 13 July 2017. Retrospectively registered after date of the first consent (6 July 2017), but before the date of the first intervention session (20 July 2017).

An evaluation of efficacy and acceptability of a novel manualised JuniorLEAP group programme for compulsive exercise, for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa, within an inpatient setting.

Compulsive exercise is a symptom and a maintenance factor of eating disorders, which increases the risk of relapse. It has been considered a target for treatment, particularly for anorexia nervosa (AN). This audit aims to review the efficacy and acceptability of a new seven-week JuniorLEAP group therapy programme, for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. JuniorLEAP was adapted by the authors and based on the Loughborough Eating Disorder Activity Programme (LEAP) for adults. 32 children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa were allocated to the group in an in-patient setting using entry criteria. All children and adolescents completed seven weekly sessions of the JuniorLEAP programme, as well as pre- and post-treatment questionnaires, including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET). The children and adolescents were also asked to provide qualitative responses about the acceptability of the group. A paired t test was conducted to review the efficacy of the JuniorLEAP programme. Significant changes in eating disorder psychopathology was observed, as measured by the EDE-Q, with total mean scores reducing from 3.53 to 2.77 (p = 0.001). Compulsive exercise attitudes were also observed to reduce, as measured by the CET, with total mean scores reducing from 15.39 to 10.90 (p ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in all five subscales of the CET following completion of the group. Qualitative results also demonstrate the group to be acceptable to the patients. This study finds that a new manualised JuniorLEAP group therapy, specifically adapted for adolescents and children with AN, when used as an adjuvant with other therapies in a residential setting, significantly reduces their compulsive exercise, as measured by CET. The patients reported that the treatment was acceptable. Further research testing the new treatment in a randomised controlled trial is now needed, particularly to disentangle the impact of other aspects of standard treatment in reducing compulsive exercise. II.

Changes in Mind-Wandering and Cognitive Fusion Through Mindfulness Group Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

The mechanisms of efficacy in mindfulness-based interventions for depression and anxiety are not fully understood. To clarify these mechanisms, we tested the hypotheses that mind-wandering, daydreaming, cognitive fusion, and experiential avoidance will decrease through mindfulness group therapy, and this decrease will correlate with improvements in depression and anxiety. Participants self-reported depression and/or anxiety (N = 28) took part in an 8-week mindfulness group therapy program. They were assessed using self-report scales at pre- and post-intervention, and at 2-month follow-up. Results indicated that depression and trait-anxiety decreased between pre- and post-intervention with moderate effect sizes, which were maintained at follow-up. Mind-wandering and cognitive fusion also decreased between pre- and post-intervention with small to moderate effect sizes, and maintained at follow-up. The decreases in mind-wandering and cognitive fusion moderately correlated with improvements in depression and anxiety, suggesting that decreases in mind-wandering and cognitive fusion might underlie efficacious mechanisms of mindfulness group therapy.

Socio-demographic factors associated with quality of life after a multicomponent aphasia group therapy in people with sub-acute and chronic post-stroke aphasia

ABSTRACT Background: Group therapy has shown benefit in language recovery in patients with aphasia (PWA). However, many in the field question its role in improving quality of life for PWA, as well as whether socio-demographic factors are related to observed improvements. Aims: To explore socio-demographic characteristics potentially associated with improvement in quality of life following a multicomponent aphasia group therapy program in people with sub-acute and chronic stroke-related aphasia. Methods and procedures: This proof of concept Phase I pre- and post-test study investigated outcomes from 26 PWA more than 3 months after their first ischemic stroke following a multicomponent group therapy program. Each therapeutic group consisted of 5 to 6 participants, with a therapy intensity of 90 min twice a week for 12 weeks, and a total dose of 36 h. The primary outcome was the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life scale (SAQOL-39). The Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Short Form (BDAE-SF) was used to evaluate potential changes in communication after therapy. Socio-demographic factors were analysed with respect to post-group SAQOL-39 scores. Outcomes and Results: A total of 26 patients participated in at least 80% of the therapy program, 65.4% male, mean age 59.2 years and a median post-stroke time of 8 months. Only the SAQOL-39 communication domain showed a significant increase after therapy (from 2.89 to 3.47; p = 0.016). There was a significant improvement in all aspects of the BDAE-SF after the group therapy. Being younger, having a caregiver, a larger number of people in the household, and being female were related to a greater gain in the SAQOL-39 communication domain. Younger PWA and milder aphasia severity were related to higher mean psychological domain scores after therapy. Conclusions and Implications: Multicomponent aphasia group therapy for PWA more than 3 months post-stroke may contribute to improving communication-related quality of life. Socio-demographic and stroke-related factors may be associated with a better therapeutic response. Future research should investigate the efficacy of this group therapy in a controlled trial, and the utility of treatment response predictors.

An Exploration of the Impact of Group Treatment for Aphasia on Connected Speech.

Group treatment enables people with aphasia to practise communication skills outside the typical clinician-patient dyad. While there is evidence that this treatment format can improve participation in everyday communication, there is little evidence it impacts linguistic abilities. This project aimed to investigate the effects of 'typical' group treatment on the communication skills of people with aphasia with a focus on word retrieval in discourse. Three people with aphasia took part in a 6-week group therapy programme. Each week focused on a different topic, and three topics also received a home programme targeting word retrieval. The six treated topics were compared with two control topics, with regard to language production in connected speech. Semistructured interviews were collected twice prior to treatment and twice following the treatment and analysed using (a) word counts; (b) the profile of word errors and retrieval in speech; (c) a measure of propositional idea density, and (d) perceptual discourse ratings. Two participants showed no significant improvements; one participant showed significant improvement on discourse ratings. This study provides limited support for group treatment, leading to improved communication as measured by semistructured interviews, even when supplemented with a home programme. We suggest that either group treatment, as implemented here, was not an effective approach for improving communication for our participants and/or that outcome measurement was limited by difficulty assessing changes in connected speech.

Restoring the body: changes in body self in the course of a focusing and arts-based therapy program for female interpersonal trauma survivors

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a therapeutic program for female survivors of interpersonal trauma, among others, of domestic violence. The participating women took part in four two-day modules in a group setting during which they were offered focusing training and arts-based Gestalt therapy. The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated in terms of improvements in body image and body experience, according to the model of body self as developed by Sakson-Obada.Participants and procedureThe Body-Self Questionnaire, the Affective Body Image test and the Draw-a-Woman test were administered to 21 participants before and after the program.ResultsAfter the therapy, the participants reported a reduction of disturbances in their body experience (interpretation and regulation of emotions and bodily needs and in body identity). In the body image domain, increased body satisfaction was observed using both declarative and projective tools – the women were also more likely to draw uncovered parts of the female body. Although improvements were noted in most of the women, three of them reported an increase in difficulties, mainly in the body image domain.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that: (1) a combination of the two techniques, i.e., focusing training and art included in the Gestalt group therapy program, resulted in satisfactory changes in body image and body experience; (2) the therapy’s effects should be monitored in the context of a woman’s various life situations; and (3) the use of both declarative and non-declarative methods can be recommended to assess the effectiveness of body-centered therapy.

Moderation of improvement in self-efficacy following group psychotherapy for PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a primary mental health concern of veterans. In clinical settings, efforts to improve broad facets beyond symptom amelioration and consideration of moderators of treatment effectiveness in this population are needed for continued improvement in care. General self-efficacy (GSE) has been indicated as a useful treatment target because of its association with positive outcomes such as increased positive health behaviors. Both race and educational attainment represent potential moderators of treatment response that are relevant for a veteran PTSD population. This study aimed to determine whether a PTSD Recovery Group Therapy Program resulted in improvement in GSE and whether racial and educational differences moderated GSE outcomes. Archival data were examined from male veterans (N = 450) receiving mental health services at a Veterans Affairs medical center using multilevel modeling to examine change in GSE over the course of treatment as well as moderation of change in GSE as a function of race and educational attainment. After completion of group therapy, results indicated there was significant improvement in GSE, with significantly different improvement based on education. Higher levels of education were associated with greater increases in GSE after treatment. Improvement in GSE did not differ by participant race. In clinical settings, efforts to increase GSE and attending to moderators such as educational attainment may be useful for improving PTSD treatment approaches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The Effects of the Tea-Culture Therapy Group Program Using Children’s Verse on Attention, Emphatic Ability and Peer Competence of Young Children

The Effects of the Tea-Culture Therapy Group Program Using Children’s Verse on Attention, Emphatic Ability and Peer Competence of Young Children

Take me back to move me forward: Re-enactment of the family system as a pathway to better quality of life for alexithymic patients in group therapy.

Despite much attention in the clinical literature, research on alexithymia in the treatment setting has only recently gained traction. While several reports indicate limited benefit from therapy amongst patients with high alexithymia, this seems to be less so in the context of group therapy. This study considers a specific aspect of the group therapy process - family re-enactment - in facilitating improvement in overall quality of life for patients with high levels of alexithymia. Family re-enactment was examined as a potential mediator of the relationship between alexithymia and change in quality of life among 50 patients who completed treatment in an intensive, integrative group therapy programme. Patients completed three self-report measures: Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (baseline), Quality of Life Inventory (baseline, post-therapy), and Therapeutic Factors Inventory-Short Form (week 8). Regression with mediation analysis was employed using the change score for the QOLI as the dependent variable, alexithymia scores as the independent variable, and the family re-enactment score as the mediator; baseline quality of life was included in the model as a control variable. Family re-enactment emerged as a significant mediator of the relationship between alexithymia and treatment outcome, implicating it as a contributing mechanism of change for alexithymic patients who participate in group therapy. Patients with higher levels of alexithymia (in particular, difficulty identifying and describing feelings) were more likely to positively endorse aspects of family re-enactment during group therapy, which in turn were significantly associated with greater improvement in patients' overall quality of life.

감각놀이치료프로그램이 발달장애유아의 사회 · 정서발달에 미치는 효과

본 연구는 감각놀이치료프로그램이 발달장애유아들의 사회 · 정서발달을 긍정적으로 향상시키는지 알아보기 위해 실시되었다. 연구대상은 S특수학교 유치원에 재원 중인 만 4∼5세 6명(실험집단 3명, 통제집단 3명)이다. 치료놀이의 기본 원리와 감각기반 요인을 활용하여 장애유아들이 집단을 의식하고, 활동에 참여함으로써 사회적인 정서 교류를 경험할 수 있도록 과제수행에 중점을 두고 실시하였다. 연구 결과, 실험집단의 장애유아들은 치료사와의 관계 및 집단의식, 또래와의 관계에서 긍정적인 변화가 나타났다. 즉, 교사에의 비의존성, 내적통제, 또래와의 상호작용, 프로그램에서의 안정감, 성취동기, 호기심에서 변화를 보여 전체적인 사회 · 정서발달 증진에 긍정적인 변화를 가져왔다. 따라서 감각놀이치료프로그램은 발달장애유아의 정서교감과 사회적 교류를 통해 사회 · 정서발달을 향상시켰다고 할 수 있다.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy Programs for Schizophrenia: Results of a Short-Term Randomized Control Trial.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two different cognitive-behavioural therapy programs in patients with schizophrenia and clarify which techniques are more effective on psychotic symptoms. With this purpose, 39 schizophrenia outpatients-assessed by independent assessors using Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and by researchers using Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales-were randomly assigned to routine care (RC), RC plus COPE-CBT or RC plus CBT groups. The repeated measures ANOVA results show that there was a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of hallucinations in CBT group and delusions in COPE-CBT group. Both CBT programs were found to be superior to RC group on some measures at post-treatment, as well as 3months follow-up.

Examining the Relationship Between Parental Symptomatology and Treatment Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This report examines the relationship between treatment response in children with ASD and parents' affective symptomatology. This study examined 29 children with ASD in a manualized group psychotherapy program, Resilience Builder Program® (RBP), where emotional and social functioning of parent and child were measured through pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. Greater parental symptomatology was associated with children's reduced response to RBP in resilience-based emotion regulation skills. Greater parental interpersonal sensitivity (β = - .27, p = .024) predicted worse post-treatment scores in child communication skills, greater parental anxious symptoms (β = - .45, p = .005) predicted worse post-treatment scores in child emotional control, and greater parental depressive (β = .27, p = .041) and anxious symptoms (β = .36, p = .004) predicted worse post-treatment scores in child internalizing problems.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Experiences in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Depression: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Qualitative Study.

BackgroundMindfulness-based programs are increasingly used as a part of integrated treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the majority of research has been quantitative with limited qualitative exploration of patients’ experiences of mindfulness programs and no studies among adolescents and young adults with IBD. Furthermore, there has been a paucity of research exploring the role of common psychotherapy and group factors within mindfulness programs.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the experiences of adolescents and young adults with IBD and depression who completed a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) group program, as well as the role of therapeutic alliance, group affiliation, and other common psychotherapy and group factors.MethodsThis mixed methods qualitative study, nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of MBCT for adolescents and young adults with IBD, will obtain qualitative data from focus groups and open-ended survey questions. The study aims to conduct three to four focus groups with 6-8 participants in each group. It will employ data and investigator triangulation as well as thematic analysis of the qualitative data.ResultsThe study was approved by the Mater Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee and recruitment commenced in May 2019; study completion is anticipated by early 2020.ConclusionsThe study will contribute to the assessment of acceptability and feasibility of the MBCT program for adolescents and young adults with IBD. It will also elucidate the role of previously unexplored common psychotherapy and group factors within mindfulness training and help inform the design of a future large-scale RCT of MBCT in this cohort.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12617000876392; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373115International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/14432

노래 부르기 활동을 통한 노인 스트레스 및 우울 감소에 미치는 영향 - 트로트 노래 중심으로 -

본 연구는 65세 이상의 경남 밀양시 노인 315명을 대상으로 트로트 노래중심 노인집단 심리치료 프로그램이 스트레스와 우울 개선에 미치는 영향을 파악하고자 수행되었다. 트로 트 노래중심 노인집단심리치료 프로그램에 의한 스트레스지수와 우울지수의 변화를 알아보 기 위해 프로그램 참여 전ㆍ후에 스트레스지수와 우울지수를 각각 조사하였다. 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 프로그램 참여 전 노인들의 스트레스점수 평균은 2.01로 중등도 스트레스군의 범위에 속하였으나 프로그램 참여 후 저스트레스군인 1.46으로 감소하여 스트레스를 27% 감소시켰으며, 통계적으로 유의하였다(p<0.001). 한편 프로그램 참여 전 노인들의 우울점수 는 10.33으로 정상범위에 속하나 프로그램 참여 후 4.81로 약 53.4% 감소시키는 유의한 변 화가 있었다(p<0.001). 이상의 연구결과로부터 트로트 노래중심 노인집단심리치료 프로그램 은 노인들의 스트레스 및 우울 개선에 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 향후 트로트 노래중심 노인집단심리치료 프로그램은 노인들의 스트레스 및 우울 치료를 위한 프로그램으로 사용될 수 있다고 판단된다.

Culturally modified cognitive processing therapy for Karen refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study.

Karen refugees, many originating from Myanmar, have suffered one of the longest civil wars in history and have thus witnessed and experienced substantial trauma. Refugees from Myanmar are currently one of the largest refugee groups being resettled in Western countries. This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a modified cognitive processing therapy (CPT) group program for Karen refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; N =7). It was found that the CPT program was well accepted, with high satisfaction and no drop-outs. At posttreatment all participants no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria and had a reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms when compared with pretreatment scores. At 3-month follow-up four participants (57% of sample) did not meet PTSD diagnostic criteria and three participants (43%) had a reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms when compared with pretreatment scores. However, at follow-up four participants (57% of the sample) had a reliable worsening in PTSD symptoms when compared with their posttreatment PTSD symptom levels. Although the study found that the modified CPT was acceptable and feasible, future research is needed to develop and enhance strategies to ensure that refugees benefit from empirically supported treatments.