Self-Stigma Reduction Group for People With Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Young, Daniel K. W.; Ng, Petrus Y. N.; Corrigan, Patrick; Chiu, Renee; Yang, Shuyan
• Is Part Of: Research on social work practice. Volume 30:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 857
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: self-stigma -- depression -- cognitive behavior therapy -- randomized controlled trial; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049731520941594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7315

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on reducing self-stigma in Chinese people with depression. Methods: By adopting a randomized controlled trial design, 62 participants with clinical depression were randomly assigned to a 10-session CBT or treatment as usual. Standardized assessment tools were used to assess the self-stigma and depressive symptoms in the pre- and posttreatment periods by a research assistant who was blind to the group assignment of the participants. Results: The results of the 2 × 2 repeated measures of covariance (analysis of covariance) demonstrated that after completing the therapy, the treatment group had significantly lower self-stigma scores than the control group. Additionally, the reduction in self-stigmatizing beliefs predicted a reduction in depressive symptoms in participants. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy and effectiveness of a CBT group intervention in reducing self-stigma for people with clinical depression living in Chinese society.