Possibilities of Group Psychotherapy in patients with Depressive Disorders

Abstract

Objective. The paper considers possibilities of metacognitive schema therapy by J. Young in the group work with patients of depressive spectrum. The aim of the psychotherapy is the formation
and development of psychological security in 40 patients treated at the Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center.
Material and methods. Methods of psychodiagnosis included Beck Depression Inventory and Hopelessness Scale, the scale of self-assessment of level of anxiety by Spielberger-Khanin, World
Assumptions Scale by P. Janoff-Bulman, “Early Maladaptive Schemas” by J. Young, Life Style Index by L.I. Wasserman, E.B. Klubova.
Results. Significant correlations between level of psychological security and nosology of depressive spectrum disorders are absent (p > 0.05). The interrelationships between degree of severity of
the disorder and indices of psychological security both as a whole (r = -0.69; p < 0.05), and across separate scales: “worth of own Self” (r = -0.51; p < 0.05), “degree of self-regulation” (r = -0.55;
p < 0.05) are found. The more severe the course of depression is the more severe is the distortion of image “Self” including experiencing the hopelessness, decrease of the belief in own forces,
loss of control over events of own life.
Conclusions. In patients of depressive spectrum the early maladaptive schemas, emotional deprivation, emotional inhibition, unrelenting standards are revealed. It is established that severity of
depressive disorder determines the degree of the impairment of psychological security and its recovery is promoted by the method of schema therapy used in the group form and directed at the
reformation of cognitive structures.