the effectiveness of problem solving therapy in deprived south african communities results from a pilot study解决问题的治疗方法的有效性在南非的贫困社区试点研究结果.pdf

van’t Hof et al. BMC Psychiatry 2011, 11:156 /1471-244X/11/156 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access The effectiveness of problem solving therapy in deprived South African communities: results from a pilot study 1,2* 1 3 4 2 Edith van’t Hof , Dan J Stein , Isaac Marks , Mark Tomlinson and Pim Cuijpers Abstract Background: The majority of South Africans with a DSM-IV diagnosis receive no treatment for their mental health problems. There is a move to simplify treatment for common mental disorders (CMDs) in order to ease access. Brief problem solving therapy (PST) might fill the treatment gap for CMD’s in deprived communities in South Africa. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of this PST program for CMD’s in deprived communities around Cape Town. Methods: A Dutch problem solving program was adapted and translated into English, Xhosa and Afrikaans and thereafter implemented in townships around Cape Town. An initial attempt to recruit participants for online PST proved difficult, and so the program was adapted to a booklet format. Volunteers experiencing psychological distress were invited to participate in the either individually or group delivered 5-week during self-help program. To evaluate the effectiveness, psychological distress was administered through self-report questionnaires. After completion of the intervention participants also rated the program on various acceptability aspects. Results: Of 103 participants, 73 completed 5 weeks of brief PST in a booklet/workshop format. There were significantly more dropouts in those who used the booklet individually than in the group. Psychological distress measured on the K-10 and SRQ fell significantly and the program was evaluated po