Combined Effect of Anti Depressant and Mindfulness based Group Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on Psychological Well Being of Divorced Women

Psychological aftermaths of divorce are well documented. This study determined the effect size of standard drug therapy along with mindfulness based cognitive group therapy (MBCT) on psychological aftermaths of divorced women with depression. This randomized clinical trial was counseling services of the Divorce Counseling Centre, affiliated to Welfare Organization, Isfahan, Iran. The experimental group comprised of 30 members received standard antidepressant along with MBCT, while the non experimental group I and II each one was comprised of 15 individuals, the former received simple standard antidepressant and the later one was subject to non standard antidepressant therapy. Psychiatric assessment was done by a psychiatrist, using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) before intervention and on three month of follow-up. Independent evaluators assessed the participants’ for severity of depression, negative thoughts, and coping ability, using Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Dysfunction Attitude Scale (DAS), and Coping Ability Scale CISS at baseline, one month after intervention, 8 weeks of intervention, and after 3 months follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS11 and running ANOVA with Bonferroni test, and ANCOVA with repeated measures. As compared to pure standard and non standard antidepressant treatment methods, the combined treatment modality provided more promising results in lowering the subjects’ depression, favorable attitudes, and better problem solving ability. In order of importance, the significant effect size for the combined method was 0.71 for severity of depression, 0.67 for avoidance, 0.65 for dysfunction attitude, 0.56 for self determination, and 0.21 for emotionalism. Significantly desirable changes observed in the therapeutic across various phases of intervention for outcome variables are attributed to the supremacy of MBCT and reinforce earlier observations. In view of high prevalence of divorce and its psychological aftermaths, non organic intervention modalities are not only more economical but also can enhance clients’ compliance in seeking early and long lasting treatment.