Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for depression

INTERVENTION: Participants who are experiencing depression will be randomly allocated to either the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy. Both groups will run for 8 weeks for 2.5 hours per session. Both groups will be faciliated by trained and registered psychologists. CONDITION: Depression PRIMARY OUTCOME: To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Beck Depression Inventory ‐ II To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Brief Measure of Worry Questionnaire To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Major Depressive Disorder (pre‐group measure only) To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Daily Mood Chart To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ NEO‐Five Factor Inventory To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS) To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Temperament and Personality Questionnaire To assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression following an 8‐week group program, a series of questionnaires and acitivities will be administered including: ; ‐ Young Cognitive Schema Questionnaire SECONDARY OUTCOME: That improvement in depression symptoms in the Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy group are mediated by change in attentional control in contrast to the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group where improvement in depression symptoms is mediated by cognitive change ; Subjects who maintain their skills in both groups over the follow‐up periods of 6‐ and 12‐months will continue to improve or maintain improvements when compared to those who do not. ; That participants in the Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy group will demonstrate greater improvements at 8 weeks and at follow ups in measure of anxiety and mindfulness than participants in the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group. Conversely, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group members will demonstrate greater improvements in changing negative thinking styles than those in the Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy group at 8‐week and at follow‐ups INCLUSION CRITERIA: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV (DSM‐IV) criteria for Major Depressive Disorder /Dysthymis (Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessment)Score 19 or more for Beck Depression Inventory and 12 or more for HAMDMust have been depressed for at least 3 months (no upper limit)Proficiency in EnglishNo prior history of Cognitive Behavioural Therpay or formal training in Mindfulness or meditation/relaxation (operationalised as more than 4 sessions or regular meditation/relaxation) and not currently receiving psychological therapyMust have a case manager/clinicianNot currently on antidepressants, or have not changed their medication regimen over the last three months but remain significantly depressedCommitment to an 8 week program