Investigating the Effect of Cognitive-behavioral Group Therapy on the Self-esteem of Depressed Soldiers: A Comprehensive Review

One of the most critical issues in mental health is self-esteem. The lack of self-esteem may become the basis of mental illnesses such as depression, which can cause personal and social damage to the individual and his family. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of cognitive- behavioral group therapy on the self-esteem of depressed soldiers.

This study is a systematic review that is done by searching articles published from 2000 to 2020 in databases Embase، Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, IranMedex, and Google Scholar search engine with the keywords depression, self-esteem, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and soldier. The number of initial articles was 50 and finally, after screening, 25 articles were selected.

The results of the studies show that cognitive-behavioral group training is not only effective in increasing the self-esteem of soldiers but also improves their behavioral performance and improves their interpersonal relationships. In this regard, psychological group therapy is effective in increasing self-esteem, desirable changes such as more appropriate social adaptation, enjoyment of relationships with friends, feeling of worth, healthier mental health, resistance, and stability against all kinds of stress and mental pressure, and reduction of depression. It creates a feeling of sufficiency in a person. Discussion and

cognitive-behavioral group training increases self-esteem and can provide the basis for the growth and self-improvement and mental health of soldiers on duty, and ultimately reduces behavioral and social injuries.