Desarrollo y Evaluación de un Programa de Autoestima para Pacientes de una Unidad de Salud Mental de Adultos

Self-esteem issues are a common clinical demand in mental health outpatient’s clinics. The current overloading demand of attention in the public health system, as well as the clinical features of self-esteem problems led us to consider its management in group therapy. Methods: In this paper the development of a self esteem-centred group therapy, which was conducted in a public mental health outpatients’ clinic, is described. The group was constituted by seven female patients, which were being treated in the mental health clinic due to different psychopathological conditions. To assess the results, the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory was used; as well as a questionnaire developed to gather the participants’ subjective impressions. Data from the direct observation and clinical evaluation of the mental health professionals involved was also considered. Results: Statistically significant improvement on self-esteem levels was showed. Moreover,   patients’ subjective impressions and professionals’ clinical observations were very positive.