The Effect of Training Problem Solving Skills on Coping Skills and reducing the Depression of Nursing and Midwifery Students.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Depression is a mental disorder with variety of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the effectiveness of training problem solving skills on Coping Skills and reducing the depression of nursing and Midwifery students. Methods: This research is a clinical trial with pre –test, post –test design with a control group. The Beck depression scale and coping skills questionnaire were administered in Tabriz and Urmia nursing and midwifery schools. 92 students; who had achieved a score above 10 on the Beck depression scale, were selected. 46 students as a study group and 46 students as a control group were selected randomly. The intervention group received six sessions of problems solving training within three weeks. Finally, after the end of sessions, coping skills and depression scales were administered and data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and independent t test. Results: The Beck depression scale scores changed in study group from 18.60 to 13.41. In the control group the score changed from 19.34 to 21.71. Although significant differences were not observed between scores before and after of control group (p=0.6); but significant difference was observed between coping skills core before and after the study group (p=0.001). Also comparing the mean coping skills showed that before the intervention there was no significant difference was observed between the control group and the study group (p=0.001). By comparing the mean coping skills before and after the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the study group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The use of problem –solving skills training programs increased the coping skills and reduces depression. According to these findings, providing information and using the problem –solving skills training in teaching, research and clinical nursing and midwifery services are recommended.