EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGNITY THERAPY IN REDUCING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS ATTENDING LAUTECH TEACHING HOSPITAL IN OGBOMOSO

Abstract

Psychological distress, which includes symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional suffering, is a prevalent concern among individuals with mental illnesses globally. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a sample of 60 participants diagnosed with mental illnesses, divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received dignity therapy, which involved structured conversations to help participants reflect on their lives, values, and achievements. The control group continued to receive standard psychiatric care. Psychological distress was measured before and after the intervention using validated tools: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) for anxiety. Data analysis utilized paired t-tests and independent t-tests to assess changes in distress levels. The findings revealed a significant reduction in psychological distress among participants in the experimental group. Depression levels decreased substantially, with the mean PHQ-9 score reducing from 16.4 (SD = 3.2) pre-intervention to 8.5 (SD = 2.8) post-intervention (t=5.67, p<0.001t = 5.67, p < 0.001t=5.67, p<0.001). Anxiety symptoms also showed marked improvement, as indicated by a reduction in the mean GAD-7 score from 15.2 (SD = 3.5) to 9.0 (SD = 3.0) (t=4.89, p<0.001t = 4.89, p < 0.001t=4.89, p<0.001). In contrast, the control group showed minimal changes, with no statistically significant differences observed in their pre- and post-intervention scores. These results underscore the potential of dignity therapy as an effective tool for alleviating psychological distress and enhancing emotional well-being. This study highlights the relevance of dignity therapy in addressing the dual challenges of mental illness and societal stigma in resource-limited settings, by affirming patients’ dignity and addressing existential concerns, dignity therapy provided a therapeutic framework that not only reduced distress but also empowered patients to engage more fully with their care. The findings have important implications for nursing practice, suggesting that dignity therapy can complement traditional psychiatric treatments, particularly in environments where stigma poses a significant barrier to care.