The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy on Depression and Quality of Life among Divorced Women Who Have Lost Custody of Their Children

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy on depression and quality of life among divorced women who have lost custody of their children at Irbid Shari’ah court. The study and the programs were carried out in the academic year 2018-2019. The sample of the study consisted of 45 women who were selected within the highest means scores on the Beck depression scale and within the lowest means scores on quality of life scale. The women were divided equally into three groups; first, an experimental group including 15 women, second, an experimental group including 15 women, and third, a control group with 15 women. The study used administrated quality of life scale and Beck II depression scale. Furthermore, two counseling programs were used: Cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered programs. The results of the study showed that the level of depression is high, and the quality of life is low among divorced women who lost the custody of their children. Moreover, the study results showed the effectiveness of the two programs in reducing depression and improving the quality of life, whereas the differences attributed to the group variable or the therapy method (cognitive behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy) in favor of the experimental groups. In addition, there were no significant statistical differences in the means of the depression scale between the post measure and the follow-up measure among the group of person-centered therapy, indicating the continuity of the effect of therapy. There were no significant statistical differences in the means of the life quality scale between the post measure and the follow-up measure among the group of person-centered therapy indicating the continuity of the effect of therapy

DOI: 10.33977/1182-011-030-010