Humor skills training and reducing depression in patients with spinal cord injury

Subject Areas : روان درمانگری

Ahmad Beh-Pajooh ¹ , Maryam Jahangiri ² , Kianoush Zahrakar ³

1 - PhD Tehran University
2 - M. A. in Counseling Islamic Azad University Tehran Research and Science Branch
3 - PhD Islamic Azad University Eslamshahr Branch

Received: 2015-06-04 Accepted : 2015-06-04 Published : 2010-03-21

Keywords: Depression, humor, spinal cord injury,

Abstract :

The effectiveness of humor skills training in reducing depression in people with spinal cord injury was examined. From two rehabilitation centers in Tehran, 24 clients (12 females and 12 males) with spinal cord injury, who scored higher than average on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck & Steer, 1987), were randomly assigned to an experimantal and a control group (12 persons in each group). In two months, only the experimental group received eight sessions of houmor skills training inspired by the McGhee’s 8-Step Humor Skills Training program (2002). The BDI was again administrated to both groups. Findings showed that depression in the experimental group was reduced as compared to the control group. Implications are discussed in terms of alleviating depression in patients with spinal cord injuries.