Effectiveness of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy on Vocational abilities and Cognitive Functioning of Inmates residing at destitute home of Punjab: A Quasi Experimental study

Abstract

Background: Homelessness in India is a growing issue, one that will require multilateral cooperation from various sources to over come. There are approximately 1.8 million homeless individuals living in India. Institutionalized people are disadvantaged from vocational skills and have higher psychological issues. So, Cognitive Enhancement Therapy to inmates of destitute home is to be provided to enhance their cognitive functioning and vocational abilities. Aim: To assess the efficacy of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy on vocational abilities and cognitive functioning in inmates residing at destitute home. Material and methods: A Quasi Experimental (Pretest- Posttest control group design) was used for the study. Purposive sampling method was used to select destitute home, 40 females were selected using simple random sampling technique and subjects were allocated in Experimental and Control group who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mini Mental Status examination and Vocational Ability Assessment Scale were used to determine cognitive functioning and vocational abilities. The sessions were delivered among experimental group in 15 consecutive days whereas no intervention was given to control group. Results: Cognitive Enhancement Therapy was found to be effective in terms of improvements of cognitive functioning as the obtained “t” value is 2.54(p= 0.01) and vocational abilities but not statistically significant (p>0.01). Conclusion: The study concluded that Cognitive Enhancement Therapy is useful strategy to improve cognitive functioning and vocational abilities.