Aim
To track changes of symptoms in patients with unipolar depression undertaking REBT.
Hypothesis
It is hypothesised that there will be a significant reduction in symptoms in patients with unipolar depression undertaking REBT.
Research method
This study will be conducted as a longitudinal study, lasting for six months, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire will be administered before the study, 1 month into the study, 3 months into the study and 6 months into the study.
Sample & Sampling method
The sampling method used will be opportunity sampling. Those available and fit the criteria will be selected. The sample will be of 50 outpatient participants aged 20-70 years old from xxx General Hospital.
Sample criteria
All patients would be diagnosed with unipolar depression and only receiving REBT as treatment only. They should not be diagnosed with any other mental disorder or taking any drug therapy.
Ethics
All participants will sign a consent form before the study so that they are clear with the aims of the study. They are also allowed to withdraw from the study at all times if they are uncomfortable and their data will be deleted. Their full names would not be known, they will only be assigned a codename for recontacting.
Questionnaire structure
Questionnaire form will consists of 25 closed questions, focusing on 3 dimensions of unipolar depression symptoms that are cognitive symptoms, behavioural symptoms and biological symptoms. Each item is rated 0-3 (0 being never, 3 being always)
Example questions
Cognitive: I think that I’ll never do well in anything (Rate 0-3)
Behavioural: I do not feel like doing anything (Rate 0-3)
Biological: I cannot control myself crying (Rate 0-3)
Filler Questions
I think the lunch I had was tasty (Rate 0-3)
Controls and Standardisations
Question order will be randomised for each testing at different intervals. All participants will undergo a one hour session REBT in the hospital biweekly.
Procedure
The therapy will start with psycho-education of the ABCDE model. Therapist will guide patients to identify irrational thoughts and question their belief to help them reattribute it towards a more positive direction. Patients will be contacted by the researcher via email to complete the questionnaire online at different intervals of time. A 20 minute digital timer will be incorporated into the questionnaire form.
Data analysis
Quantitative data is collected. The higher the score out of 75, the more severe the symptoms.A graph will be plotted to examine the differences between their scores before, 1 month into, 3 months into and 6 months into the REBT therapy.
ANOVA test is carried out to look for differences between scores of different intervals to see whether is it significant or due to chance. If the value is greater than critical value of p=0.05, this shows that results are significant.Post-hoc test could be done to see whether there is a significant decrease in symptoms of unipolar depression between baseline score before REBT and 6 months into REBT.