Effectiveness of Psychological Intervention Based on Compassion Focused Therapy on Automatic Thoughts and Dysfunctional Attitude among Patients with Depressive Symptoms

Mohamed Abdelhamid Ali, Manal; Elsayed Mohamed, Rehab; Ramzy Elfiky, Elham

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2025.416706

Effectiveness of Psychological Intervention Based on Compassion Focused Therapy on Automatic Thoughts and Dysfunctional Attitude among Patients with Depressive Symptoms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt

² Assistant Professor of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2025.416706

Abstract

Background: Depression is among the most prevalent psychological disorders, significantly impacting an individual's performance and resulting in numerous adverse consequences. The third phase of psychotherapy aimed at treating mental health issues, especially depression, is known as compassion-focused therapy (CFT).The aim of this intervention is to better manage the patient’s dysfunctional attitude and automatic thoughts and enhance depressive symptoms .Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of psychological interventions based on compassion-focused therapy on automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes among patients with depressive symptoms. Setting: The research was conducted at the psychiatric inpatient ward of the Hospital of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment located in Benha City, Qaluobia. Subjects: A purposive sample of seventy patients with depressive symptoms was selected as study group (35 patients) and the control group (35 patients). Research Design: Quasi-experimental research design pre- post,and follow-up test, two groups were utilized. Tools: Four tools were used; Tool (1) Socio-demographic data and clinical characteristics, Tool (2) Self Compassion Scale, Tool (3) the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ) and Tool (4) Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS). Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation coefficient between the total number of automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes among patients with depressive symptoms in the study group, and compassion-based therapy significantly reduced these thoughts and attitudes in patients with depressive symptoms (p <0.001).Conclusion: It was determined that automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes in patients exhibiting depressive symptoms can be effectively addressed through CFT. Recommendation: The psychiatric nursing personnel ought to establish a comprehensive nursing intervention program across all governorates of Egypt for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms. This initiative aims to enhance their emotional well-being and mitigate negative automatic thoughts as well as dysfunctional attitudes.

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