The Impact of Cognitive Analytic Therapy on Need for Cognition and Sense of Purpose in Depression: A Four-Month Follow-Up Study
Keywords:
Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Depression, Need for Cognition, Sense of Purpose, Randomized Controlled Trial.Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) in enhancing Need for Cognition and Sense of Purpose among individuals with depression. This randomized controlled trial involved 30 participants diagnosed with depression, recruited from mental health clinics in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving CAT) or the control group (receiving standard care), with 15 participants in each group. The intervention consisted of twelve 45-60 minute sessions over three months. Outcome measures included the Need for Cognition and Sense of Purpose, assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and four-month follow-up using standardized tools. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS version 27. The intervention group showed significant improvements in Need for Cognition (Pre-intervention: M = 32.45, SD = 4.21; Post-intervention: M = 45.62, SD = 3.88; Follow-up: M = 43.89, SD = 4.10) compared to the control group (Pre-intervention: M = 33.12, SD = 4.50; Post-intervention: M = 34.67, SD = 4.37; Follow-up: M = 34.01, SD = 4.29). Similarly, Sense of Purpose scores improved significantly in the intervention group (Pre-intervention: M = 28.34, SD = 5.22; Post-intervention: M = 42.15, SD = 4.92; Follow-up: M = 40.78, SD = 5.03) compared to the control group (Pre-intervention: M = 29.12, SD = 5.30; Post-intervention: M = 30.47, SD = 5.10; Follow-up: M = 30.02, SD = 5.01). ANOVA results indicated significant main effects for time and group and significant interaction effects between time and group for both variables (p < .001). Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) significantly enhances Need for Cognition and Sense of Purpose in individuals with depression, with improvements sustained at a four-month follow-up. These findings highlight CAT's potential as a comprehensive therapeutic approach for treating depression and promoting long-term cognitive and motivational well-being.
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References
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