A Randomized Trial of Group Therapy for Resource Activation for Patients With Affective Disorder

Resource activation is a common factor of psychotherapy and has an effect on the treatment success regardless of the specific orientation. A balanced focus on resources and problems seems to constitute a promising therapy method. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel group therapy for resource activation (GTRA) for inpatients with unipolar depressive and bipolar affective disorders experiencing a depressive episode. Primary outcome criteria were the change in resources and in depression severity. Eighty-nine patients with unipolar depressive and bipolar affective disorders (57.3% female, mean age = 39.9 years) took part in a randomized, controlled trial comparing GTRA plus treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU alone. A comparison of the intervention (GTRA plus TAU) and control group (TAU) showed significantly higher improvements over time in "current relationships" and "fostering self-esteem" in the intervention group but no significant group differences in depression severity. Over the course of the GTRA, participants reported positive experiences of coping and clarification and showed significant increases in problem activation and improvements in subjective session outcomes. This study can be understood as a preliminary effort to pave the way for further refinement and testing of GTRA for patients with affective disorders in addition to TAU in an inpatient care setting. Future research should focus on improving the efficacy of the GTRA by varying different therapy components (e.g., the duration of the GTRA).