The Development of an Action-Oriented Group Therapy Model for Decreasing Depression Symptoms of New Inmates

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to develop an action oriented group therapy model for decreasing depression symptoms of new inmates. The sample of the study included 2 groups. The first group of the depression symptoms study consisted of randomly selected 158  new inmates in Chonburi Central Prison. The second group were 20 new inmates of Chonburi Central Prison whose depression scores were moderate. They were then randomly assigned into two groups as experimental and control groups, 10 new inmates each. This research was mixed  method research. The research results were as follows: The total mean score and the individual dimension mean scores of depression of new inmates were moderate. The depression of new inmates of the experimental group after participating in the action-oriented group therapy model and after the follow up were significantly decreased at p< 0.05. The depression of new inmates of the experimental group after participating in the action-oriented  group therapy model and after the follow up were significantly lower than that of the control group at p<0.01 level.  Focus group interview showed that the new inmates were satisfied with the action-oriented group therapy model. They also gained more knowledge and they felt that their lives were improved and the model was valuable for their lives.