Individuals’ long term use of cognitive behavioural skills to manage their depression: a qualitative study

French, L. R.M., Thomas, L., Campbell, J., Kuyken, W., Lewis, G., Williams, C. , Wiles, N. J. and Turner, K. M. (2017) Individuals’ long term use of cognitive behavioural skills to manage their depression: a qualitative study. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 45(1), pp. 46-57. (doi: 10.1017/S1352465816000382) (PMID:27629570)

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Abstract

Background: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to teach people skills to help them self-manage their depression. Trial evidence shows that CBT is an effective treatment for depression and individuals may experience benefits long-term. However, there is little research about individuals’ continued use of CBT skills once treatment has finished. Aims: To explore whether individuals who had attended at least 12 sessions of CBT continued to use and value the CBT skills they had learnt during therapy. Method: Semi-structured interviews were held with participants from the CoBalT trial who had received CBT, approximately 4 years earlier. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: 20 participants were interviewed. Analysis of the interviews suggested that individuals who viewed CBT as a learning process, at the time of treatment, recalled and used specific skills to manage their depression once treatment had finished. In contrast, individuals who viewed CBT only as an opportunity to talk about their problems did not appear to utilize any of the CBT skills they had been taught and reported struggling to manage their depression once treatment had ended. Conclusions: Our findings suggest individuals may value and use CBT skills if they engage with CBT as a learning opportunity at the time of treatment. Our findings underline the importance of the educational model in CBT and the need to emphasize this to individuals receiving treatment.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Williams, Professor Christopher
Authors: French, L. R.M., Thomas, L., Campbell, J., Kuyken, W., Lewis, G., Williams, C., Wiles, N. J., and Turner, K. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:1352-4658
ISSN (Online):1469-1833
Published Online:15 September 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
First Published:First published in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 45(1):46-57
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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