Group Therapy Program for Women With Physical Disabilities
Group Therapy Program for Women With Physical Disabilities
More women with disabilities (30%) report "feelings such as sadness, unhappiness, or
 depression that prevent them from being active" compared to women without disabilities (8%).
 The contexts of the lives of WPD, which often include high rates of poverty, architectural
 and attitudinal barriers, and higher vulnerability to violence and abuse, contribute to this
 mental health disparity. To help address this disparity, the overall goals of this pilot
 study are to: 1)1. Develop a cognitive behavioral group therapy intervention to address the
 specific needs of WPD who experience depressive symptoms; and 2. Pilot-test the intervention
 to preliminarily evaluate its efficacy using a mixed-methods approach. The proposed and
 revised study outcomes were derived from our previous work with WPD as well as from feedback
 obtained from community meetings conducted since our last submission of this proposal. A
 pilot of the modified intervention with a total of 90 participants will be conducted using a
 using a wait list control design. The decision to use a wait list control design was made
 jointly with our community partners to ensure that all WPD participating in the study have
 access to the intervention.
The project will use a longitudinal mixed method research design. Phase I will utilize focus
 groups conducted with WPD to support development of the group therapy program. Phase II will
 evaluate the efficacy of the intervention using a randomized design. Measures to protect
 human subjects include development of detailed safety and referral protocols including 24
 hour access to emergency mental health assessment and intervention as needed.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Women with physical disabilities age 18 and older who require some form of
 accommodation and experience significant depressive symptoms as defined by a cut off
 score of 16 or greater on the CES-D.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Women currently receiving other psychotherapy treatment

 -  Women who are psychotic or have significant cognitive impairment

 -  Women who are actively suicidal with intent and plan

 -  Women who have discontinued or initiated antidepressant medications within an 4 week
 time period.