Research on Social Work Practice, Ahead of Print.
Purpose:This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on reducing self-stigma in Chinese people with depression.Methods:By adopting a randomized controlled trial design, 62 participants with clinical depression were randomly assigned to a 10-session CBT or treatment as usual. Standardized assessment tools were used to assess the self-stigma and depressive symptoms in the pre- and posttreatment periods by a research assistant who was blind to the group assignment of the participants.Results:The results of the 2 × 2 repeated measures of covariance (analysis of covariance) demonstrated that after completing the therapy, the treatment group had significantly lower self-stigma scores than the control group. Additionally, the reduction in self-stigmatizing beliefs predicted a reduction in depressive symptoms in participants.Conclusion:This study demonstrates the efficacy and effectiveness of a CBT group intervention in reducing self-stigma for people with clinical depression living in Chinese society.