The Effects of Supportive Group Psychotherapy on Self-esteem and Depression of Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of supportive group psychotherapy on self-esteem and depression of persons with type 2 diabetes. The samples consisted of 24 persons with type 2 diabetes receiving services at diabetic clinic, out patient department, Wangchan Hospital, Rayong Province and were equally divided into an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). The research instruments included supportive group psychotherapy, a questionnaire of demographic data, the Self-esteem Inventory with the reliability of .83, and Beck Depression Inventory with the reliability of .84. The implementation and data collection were conducted from September 14 to November 30, 2015. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, independent t-test, two-way repeated measure ANOVA, and repeated measure ANOVA with multiple comparisons by Bonferroni.

The research results revealed that: 1) at post-test stage, the experimental group had statistically significant higher mean score of self-esteem and lower mean score of depression than the control group (F = 23.560, p < .001 and F = 38.920, p < .001, respectively); 2) at 1-month follow-up stage, the experimental group had statistically significant higher mean score of self-esteem and lower mean score of depression than the control group (F = 42.420, p < .001 and F = 63.460, p < .001, respectively); and 3) in the experimental group, the mean scores of self-esteem and depression at pre-test stage, post-test stage, and 1-month follow-up stage were statistically significantly different (p < .001).

This research suggested that health care providers should apply this supportive group psychotherapy to enhance self-esteem and reduce depression among persons with type 2 diabetes.