Background
Although Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appears to be an effective treatment for depression, studies of CBT have largely been composed of White patients. Whether the benefits or process of change in CBT differ among ethnic/racial minority patients requires further investigation.
Methods
We drew data from three previous studies to examine differences among Black and White patients. Our combined sample consisted of 229 patients with depression who had participated in CBT (23 Black and 206 White patients). Observer ratings of therapist use of cognitive methods, behavioral methods, and alliance were available for early sessions. Depressive symptoms were assessed at each session.
Results
Patient race was not associated with slope of symptom change or the risk of dropout. There were no differences in therapists’ use of behavioral methods or the alliance. However, CBT therapists used cognitive methods less extensively when working with Black as compared to White patients. Patient race did not moderate the relation between cognitive methods and symptom change.
Conclusions
Taken together, these results raise the possibility that standard CBT can be implemented in ways that are culturally responsive, but also call into question whether some of the recommended ways to personalize CBT enhance outcome. We encourage future research investigating CBT for Black patients.