Decreased signs and symptoms of depression by using positive interventions: A multiple-baseline study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student in clinical psychology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate professor of psychology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant professor of clinical psychology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Assistant professor of educational psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

5 Ph.D. in Islamic Sciences, Assistant professor of Hadis SciencesUniversity, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy in decreasing depression in people with sign and symptom of depression.
Materials and Methods: This study in 2014 was conducted through a single subject multiple base lines with fallow up phase. The first, three people with sign and symptom of depression were chosen from a Center of Psychology and Counseling in Tehran by purposeful sampling. Participants attended from 3 to 7 week baseline phase. Within base line stage (3-7 weeks) therapy phase (6 weekly) and fallow up step (4 month after treatment), patient fill out Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17, Orientations of happiness, Positive And Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Meaning in Life )MLQ(.Treatment conducted by the researcher in 6 sessions according Seligman and et al. (2006).
Results: The findings showed that all participants had decreasing trend in depression scores (71%) and Hamilton rating scale (61%). These results remain during fallow up phase and the treatment has been effective to all clients. Also, the results showed the increasing trend in positive emotion, enjoy, engagement and meaning.
Conclusion: It seems that positive psychotherapy as a short-term effective treatment can be applied for decreasing signs and symptoms of depression.

Keywords