The Effects of Program Combined between Supportive Group Psychotherapy and Thai Wisdom on Depression among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and need to decrease depressive symptoms in depression of patients by intervention. This study was quasi - experimental research. The purpose of the study was to examines the effects of program combined between supportive group psychotherapy and Thai wisdom among patients with major depressive disorders. The sample group was patients with major depressive disorders receiving antidepressant drugs. There were 14 paitents, following Intrusion critreria. The programe were three steps of activities and 6 times given to the samples. The research instruments consisted of 1) a program combined between supportive group psychotherapy and Thai wisdom, 2) a questionnaire, 3) nine depression assessment (9Q), and 4) self - esteem assessment test. The measures were assessed before and after the treatment program immediately and 1 - month follow-up. The statistics analysis included descriptive statistics and Repeated Measure ANOVA. The research results showed that the program combined between supportive group psychotherapy and Thai wisdom could reduce depression and increase self - esteem of major depressive disorders in patients at significant level .05. The means of depression of pretest, posttest, and 1 - month follow-up was 15.50 (S.D. = 1.60), 2.71 (S.D. = 1.13), and 2.78 (S.D. = 1.25) respectively, and the latter became increasing. Moreover, the means of pretest, posttest and 1 – month follow-up of self – esteem were 1.47 (S.D. = 0.27), 3.48 (S.D. = 0.29), 3.34 (S.D. = 0.23) respectively. This study could decrease depression and increased self - estseem significantly. Therefore, it could be an alternative to improve depression and self - esteem of major depressive disorders patients receiving antidepressant drugs