CHANGES IN SELF CONSTRUCTION, COGNITIVE STRUCTURE AND SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH DYSTHYMIC DISORDER DURING GROUP THERAPY. COMPARISON WITH A NON-CLINICAL SAMPLE

Abstract

The purpose of  this paper is to analyze whether there have been changes in self construction, cognitive structure and anxious-depressive symptomatology in 19 patients diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, after been treated in group therapy during six months. The second objective was to compare those changes in self  construction and cognitive structure with a non-clinical sample paired in age, education and occupation levels, during a six months lapse. The assessment tools used were Repertory Grid Technique, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. The results show that, after group therapy, patients with dysthymic disorder, have changed in self construction and cognitive structure. However, no changes were found in non-clinical sample. Moreover, the clinical sample has also obtained a decrease of anxiety and depression levels, along with an increased of the self-esteem level.