Abstract
Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral (CB) group intervention for the well being of adolescents and young adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Methodology: Sixteen adolescents and young adults with CP completed the short form of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Systemic Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL). Data were collected prior to the intervention (t1) and at the termination of the intervention twelve months later (t2). The study group consisted of 8 participants in a CB group, and the comparison group consisted of 8 participants in a social peer group.
Results: Wilcoxon signed rank test for pre-post effects within each group showed that the CB group intervention was more effective than the social peer group in decreasing depressive symptoms and in enhancing SOC, physical, and cultural quality of life. At the end of the year, not only did the peer social group show no improvement in the psychological indices, but the depression level of the participants in this group had risen.
Conclusions: The results suggest that a CB group intervention may be more beneficial for the well being of young adults with CP. Further research is required to examine the generalizability of the current findings and to investigate the long-term effects of CB group interventions.
Methodology: Sixteen adolescents and young adults with CP completed the short form of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Systemic Quality of Life Questionnaire (QOL). Data were collected prior to the intervention (t1) and at the termination of the intervention twelve months later (t2). The study group consisted of 8 participants in a CB group, and the comparison group consisted of 8 participants in a social peer group.
Results: Wilcoxon signed rank test for pre-post effects within each group showed that the CB group intervention was more effective than the social peer group in decreasing depressive symptoms and in enhancing SOC, physical, and cultural quality of life. At the end of the year, not only did the peer social group show no improvement in the psychological indices, but the depression level of the participants in this group had risen.
Conclusions: The results suggest that a CB group intervention may be more beneficial for the well being of young adults with CP. Further research is required to examine the generalizability of the current findings and to investigate the long-term effects of CB group interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | International Journal of Disability, Community & Rehabilitation |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 2008 |