The effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on reducing depression and anxiety in the Kermanshah older women

Background: Depression and anxiety among the elderly, especially women, are the most common mental disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on reducing depression and anxiety in the Kermanshah older women.
Methods: The study was a semi-experimental design with preposttest design with control group. 30 elderly women were selected based on the available sampling in a boarding center for the elderly, "Kermanshah Mehre Neikan" and assigned to the experimental and
control groups, randomly. The instruments used were the geriatric depression scale (GDS), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for Spiel Berger and the demographic questionnaire. Ten sessions of cognitive group therapy with Ferry method was administered to experimental group as biweekly; while the control group did not
receive the intervention. At the end of the intervention, both groups were evaluated again by the tests. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance.
Results: The data showed cognitive group therapy is effective on reducing depression, state and trait anxiety in older women (P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on reducing depression and anxiety in older women, apparently can be used to cognitive group therapy for reducing depression and anxiety in older women.