The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Nursing Intervention on Cognitive Distortions and Self-Efficacy among Patients with First Episode Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract

Background: Depression is a significant global psychosocial health problem. CBT is considered one of the most effective modes of treatment for depression, and qualified psychiatric nurses have played a significant role in disseminating this type of intervention using evidence-based practice. This study aimed to assess the effect of cognitive behavioral nursing intervention on cognitive distortions and self-efficacy among patients with first episode major depressive disorder. A quasi-experimental study design on one group pre/post assessment was utilized on 45 patients who diagnosed with first episode major depressive disorder and attending outpatient clinic, at El-Abassia Mental Health hospital. Tools of data collection: The data was collected using an interview questionnaire that included four sections as the following: 1) patient's demographic data; 2) Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS); 3) Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD); and 4) Generalized Self-Efficacy scale. Results revealed that, there were highly statistically significant differences between pre- and post- cognitive behavioral nursing intervention regarding different types of cognitive distortions: discounting the positive/personalization, magnification, fortune-telling, externalization of self-worth, perfectionism, absolutistic/dichotomous thinking, emotional reasoning, minimization, comparison to others, should statements, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning and decision making of patients under the study, as well as total score of cognitive distortions in which P value=.000. Regarding patients‟ level of self-efficacy, data analysis showed that there was a highly statistically significant difference between pre- and post- cognitive behavioral nursing intervention in which t= 16.68 at P= .000. Also, there were highly statistically significant differences between pre- and post- cognitive behavioral nursing intervention regarding levels of depression, anxiety, and stress of patients under the study in which P value=.000. The study concluded that cognitive behavioral nursing intervention has positive effect on cognitive distortions and self-efficacy among patients with first episode major depressive disorder. Recommendation: Application of CBT sessions led by qualified psychiatric nurses as a routine rehabilitation for newly patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.