THE IMPACT OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY EFFECTIVENESS IN ADULTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: A PRE-POST EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the Impact of Personality Traits on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effectiveness in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder.

Design: Pre-Post Experimental Design

Place and duration of study: Lahore, Pakistan, June 2024- September 2024.

Subject and method: The participants were adults ranging in age between 18-65 years diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. The sample was selected through purposive sampling from different psychiatric hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. The sample size was 40 (20 male & 20 female), equally divided and randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group. In the pre assessment phase, Big Five inventory and Hamilton Depression Scales were employed to assess the participants’ personality traits and severity of their depression. In the intervention phase 16 group sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy were carried out followed by re-assessment in the post assessment phase.

Result and conclusion: The results confirmed that there is a significant difference in pre and post assessment score of Major Depressive Disorder in experimental group (t=9, p<.00). Results also showed that Personality traits are likely to impact the effectiveness of Cognitive behavioral therapy where Conscientiousness (M=18.25, SD=4.99) showed the highest significant difference with depression (p<.005). Moreover, Agreeableness also showed significant difference (p<.005) with depression (M=18.30), (SD=5.19). The findings indicated that clients with these two personality traits benefit the most from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as compared to participants with other personality traits.