Investigation of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Reduction of Depression among the Children of Divorce between 7 and 12 Years

The rate of divorce has significantly increased in Iran during the recent years. Researches show that divorce of parents significantly affects their children and it can lead to depression among them. The present research aims to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy on decreasing depression among children of divorce between 7 and 12 years. The present research has a pretest-posttest semi-tentative design with a control group. The sample size includes 30 children of divorce between 7 and 12 years who live in the west of Hormozgan province among which 15 children were placed in control group and the other 15 were placed in test group. Before and after the intervention, CDI questionnaire was completed by the sample members. The results of analysis of covariance indicated that compared to the control group, there was a significant reduction in depression of the members of test group after participation in cognitive behavioral group therapy sessions. Research findings confirm that cognitive behavioral group therapy decreases the depression among the children of divorce between 7 and 12 years. Therefore, using such interventions can have a great role in improving the psychological state of this vulnerable stratum.