The effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of depression of divorced women in Tehran

Background Divorce and disintegration of the family centre is a social problem having consequences considered as the main problems of current societies. Aims Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of trauma-based cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of depressed divorced women. Methods The experimental method was a pretest-posttest design control group with a three-month follow up. The statistical population of this study was a total of 103 women who referred to Mehravar Consulting Centre and Psychotherapy Centre in Tehran. After the initial stages of evaluation, 77 divorced women had the highest mean score in Beck Depression Inventory and 30 were selected and randomly divided into two groups of experimental (15 women), and control (15 women). The experimental group received weekly group intervention in 8 sessions of 90 minutes. Data were analysed using repeated measure ANOVA. Results The findings showed a significant difference between the performance of the two experimental and control groups in depression (F=22.23, p=0.001) in the post-test and after three months of follow-up. Conclusion The results indicated that trauma-based cognitive-behavioural therapy reduced depression symptoms in divorced women. Therefore, it is recommended to use this therapeutic approach to improve reconciliation, interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of quality of life after divorce in divorced women