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

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.