The Effect of Brief Group Psychoeducation on Cognitive Distortions, Automatic Thoughts and Functioning in Major...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) causes significant impairment and reduced functioning, yet it remains undertreated. This study examined the effectiveness of a structured, brief group psychoeducation programme for individuals diagnosed with MDD. The randomized controlled trial involved 52 adults diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-5 criteria. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 29) that received psychoeducation during a 12-week follow-up and a control group (n = 23) that received only standard pharmacotherapy. The intervention included two interactive psychoeducation sessions, each lasting 90-120 min, conducted in a group setting. Levels of depression, anxiety, cognitive distortions, automatic thoughts and functioning were assessed using the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HAM-D/HAM-A), the Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS), the Automatic Thoughts Scale (ATQ) and the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), respectively. The findings indicated that depression and anxiety scores significantly decreased in both groups after 12 weeks, with no difference between them in this regard. However, the group receiving psychoeducation experienced greater improvements in cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts compared to the control group, especially in areas such as helplessness, negative self-concept and giving up/helplessness. Although functioning levels improved in both groups, there was no significant difference between them. Structured brief group psychoeducation resulted in significant improvements, particularly in reducing cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts in patients with MDD. Psychoeducation is a practical approach that emphasizes cognitive processes along with pharmacotherapy. Including a broader range of psychotherapeutic modalities in treatment plans may further enhance functional outcomes.