Measuring changes in negative and positive thinking in patients with depression

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2010 Oct;46(4):257-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00253.x.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe changes in positive and negative thinking in adult inpatients with depression who attended an Advanced Practice Nurse-led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group on 1 inpatient unit in a large medical center.

Design and methods: A descriptive design with a retrospective cohort chart review was conducted (n = 427). Positive and negative thinking were measured by the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire at admission and at discharge.

Findings and practice implications: A paired t-test revealed a significant change (p = .001) in both positive and negative thinking in the desired direction between admission and discharge. It is important to measure clinical improvements.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Advanced Practice Nursing*
  • Aged
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / nursing
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Thinking*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States