The Effectiveness of Cognitive Group Therapy on Self-efficacy and Depression Among Divorced Women

Objective: This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on self-efficacy and depression among divorced women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with control group. In this study, all divorced women referring to Hazrate Zeinab Charity Institution in Varamin City, Iran were considered as the statistical population with a sample size of 30 subjects who were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). A weekly cognitive group therapy was applied to the experimental group for 12 sessions, but the control group was placed on the waiting list. Assessment instruments consisted of general self-efficacy scale and Beck depression questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using multivariable analysis of covariance. Results: Cognitive group therapy led to significant increase in self-efficacy (df=1, P 0.05, F=66.05) and significant decrease in depression (df=1, P 0.05, F=108.65) among divorced women. Conclusion: According to the results, cognitive group therapy is an effective way of decreasing depression and increasing self-efficiency in divorced women.