Korean J Psychosom Med.  2022 Jun;30(1):30-37. 10.22722/KJPM.2022.30.1.30.

A Pilot Study on the Development and the Effect of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Undergraduates at Mental Health High Risk

• Kim J
• An SH
• Park YJ
• Park S
• Jhung K

• KMID: 2537040
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2022.30.1.30

Abstract

Objectives
: The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive-behavioral intervention for college students at high risk for mental health and to investigate its effect on mental health outcomes.
Methods
: The program was developed to reduce depressive symptoms and adverse outcomes while promoting resilience and positive effects. It consisted of eight sessions in a small group format for eight weeks. Thirty subjects at high risk for mental health participated in the program. Outcomes on the depressive symptoms, resilience, satisfaction with life, negative affect, and positive affect were evaluated at pre-and post-intervention.
Results
: Depressive symptom scores reduced significantly post-intervention compared to pre-intervention (t=3.51, p=0.002). Resilience scores (t=-3.65, p=0.001) and satisfaction with life scores (t=-3.00, p=0.006) increased after intervention than pre-intervention. Positive affect scores decreased post-intervention (t=2.28, p=0.031). There was no significant difference between pre-and post-intervention negative affect scores (t=-0.94, p=0.356).
Conclusions
: Present study demonstrated that group-based cognitive-behavioral intervention could be helpful for college students at high risk for mental health to reduce mental health symptoms and improve healthy protective factors.

Keyword

Mental health high-risk; Undergraduates; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Depression; Resilience; Life satisfaction.