This dissertation examines a social work treatment model which integrated various theoretical and practice orientations into a unified approach using the interactional framework of the small group to help members achieve their goals in dealing with depression. The structured model utilized a twelve week psychoeducational program for use with chronic depressive clients in a community mental health center. Alternate treatment groups using brief supportive psychotherapy and a wait-list control group were compared to the structured treatment groups on six outcome measures. Findings indicated that members of the structured treatment groups improved significantly on three of four measures of depression used in the study in relation to the wait-list control group. However, only moderate improvement was shown in relation to the alternate treatment groups. Members of the alternate treatment groups improved on only one measure of depression. Group leadership and group process measures were also analyzed in the study
