Comparison of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy in the treatment of depression.

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Beck's cognitive treatment and Lewinsohn's behavioral treatment of depression. A multiple criteria (self-report, objective, and subjective clinical ratings) approach was used in the selection of subjects for a cognitive modification group (n=8), a behavior modification group (n = 8), an attention/ass essment (nonproach was used in the selection of subjects for a cognitive modification group sessions were held over a period of 4 weeks. Results indicated that the cognitive modification group was the most effective in alleviating depression as measured by self-report and the objective clinical rating. Cognitive modification resulted in significantly fewer depressive symptoms after treatment than all other groups. The behavior modification and nondirective procedures were more effective than no treatment based on the self-report data. The results relevant to the current psychological literature on the treatment of depression are discussed. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the cognitive approach described by Beck (1967, 1974) and Lewinsohn's (1974) behavioral approach in the treatment of de