A 12-week exploratory study was conducted to gain insight into the process of psychological change associated with a combination cognitive-behavioral therapy/aerobic running program in the treatment of depression. Twelve moderately to severely depressed subjects were selected from individuals who were self-referred or referred by mental health professionals in the community. Subjects selected for the study participated in a 4-week baseline recording phase and an 8-week treatment period. Treatment sessions were carried out in a group format on a weekly basis during the treatment period. / The subjects' psychological changes were monitored on three levels. First, subjects were evaluated at screening, pre- and post-treatment intervals for intensity of depression, hopelessness, body-image and a number of other psychological variables. Secondly, the subjects were interviewed bi-weekly and tested weekly to assess their reactions to the therapy experience and their rate of depression respectively. Lastly, the subjects completed a daily assessment of their mood and possible contributing factors that may have occurred. These assessment procedures remained consistent throughout the baseline and treatment phases of the study. / Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed on the five subjects who completed the entire study. Statistical analysis revealed there were no significant changes in any of the dependent measures during the baseline recording period. There was a significant reduction (< .05) in depression, the target variable, as a result of the cognitive-behavioral/aerobic running program. This improvement was reported by subjects to be due to a number of variables, some of which were not directly related to the treatment program. Factors such as the therapist's attention and interest, experimental demand, subject expectancy of improvement and group interaction, seemed to have contributed to the final treatment outcome. Subjects also reported a variety of techniques presented in treatment to be differentially effective in alleviating their depression. Subjective reports also indicated that participation in the combination treatment resulted in increased self-confidence, reduced anxiety and improved body-image. There were no significant changes in body-image, feelings of hopelessness or other psychological variables as a result of treatment. Initial treatment improvement was not maintained at a two month follow-up evaluation. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-01, Section: A, page: 0102. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74010 |
| Contributors | BUFFONE, GARY WARREN., The Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 195 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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