title: The experience of participation in a brief cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychologically distressed female university students.
abstract: The aim of this study was to elucidate the experience of participation in four sessions of cognitive behavioural group therapy for psychological distress for female university students' (n = 19), aged 22-45 years. Data were gathered with semi-structured interviews during March and April 2008 and analysed according to thematic content analysis. The results identified four themes: 'Gaining knowledge and understanding', 'Becoming more balanced and positive in thinking', 'Feeling more self-confident and in control' and 'Opportunities for practice and in-depth reflections'. Future recommendations include an increase in sessions from four to five, with one booster session to follow-up on newly acquired skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Landspitali-The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernhardsdottir
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skärsäter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anxiety; cognitive behaviour therapy; depression; females; nursing; students