Project details

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Effectiveness of the CBASP in group version: which factors contribute to remission of chronic depression?

Keywords:
chronic depression psychotherapy

Researchers:
prof. dr. R.A. Schoevers
Drs. A.H. Oosterveld
Dr. M.R. Potijk
Dr. M.J. Eldering

Nature of the research:
Retrospective study

Fields of study:
psychiatry

Background / introduction
Although chronic depression is known to be difficult to treat, newly developed methods of psychotherapy have shown promising results, in particular the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP). One of the main elements of CBASP is learning to recognize the consequences of one’s own behavior for others, in order to change dysfunctional mechanisms of affective and motivational regulation.(1) The CBASP method seems to have an added effect regarding long term treatment outcome compared to care as usual which contains combined treatment of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy (mostly consisting of cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy).(2,3) However, the group version of the CBASP, which is offered to chronically depressed patients in the UMCG, is not as well studied as the individual version.
Research question / problem definition
To determine the effectiveness of the group version of the CBASP method and factors that contribute to remission.
Workplan
You will develop and use a database of patients who completed the CBASP training in the University Center Psychiatry. All patients have regularly filled out the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) which will be used as a primary endpoint. Part of the project may be performed in a qualitative way, depending on the time investment that is needed.
References
1. McCullough JP Jr. Treatment for chronic depression using Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP). J Clin Psychol. 2003;59:833-46.
2. Wiersma, JE et al. The effectiveness of the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy for Chronic Depression: a randomized Controlled Trial. Psychother Psychosom 2014;83:263-269.
3. Jobst, A et al. European Psychiatric Association Guidance on psychotherapy in chronic depression across Europe. European Psychiatry 2016;33:18-36.
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