The Effectiveness of Group Metacognitive Therapy in Improving Metacognitive Beliefs and Ruminative Responses of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

The relationship between metacognitions and depressive symptoms has been proved during the past decades. The aim of this study was to consider effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy (GMCT) in improving metacognitive beliefs and ruminative responses of patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). This study was a pre-posttreatment experimental design with control group. The statistical society included all of patients with MDD who were refered or came to Rahyab psychological Clinic، Astane Ghods psychology clinic and Ebne Sina hospital in Mashhad، Iran in 2013. Twenty four patients were selected via a purposive and available sampling methodand were assigned to experimental and control groups randomly. Experimental group experienced 8 weeks of GMCTand control group did not receive any treatments. All subjects completed 3 questionnaries at pre and post-treatment: the Beck Depression Inventory-2nd edition (BDI-II)، Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30)، and Ruminative Response Scales (RRS). Data were analyzed by percentage improvement and multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results showed that GMCT compared to control group lead to significant improvement in depression، metacognitive beliefs and ruminative responses) P<. 001(. In experimental group، improvement perscentage mean for depression and ruminative responses were. 35 and. 49 respectively. Also، in experimental group، positive metacognitive beliefs and cognitive confidence had the most and the least improvement percentage mean in metacognitions، respectively. Result of this research showed that GMCT could be effective in improving metacognitive beliefs and ruminative responses of patient with MDD.