Does self-help intervention help undergraduate students in Hong Kong to increase psychological well-being and reduce depression symptoms

Abstract

An increasing number of studies indicates that positive psychological interventions may enhance mental wellness for both clinical and non-clinical populations. The current work compared the efficacy of Self-Help Interpersonal Gratitude Letter Intervention (Gratitude) and Self-Help Goal-Setting and Planning Intervention (GAP) in decreasing depressive symptoms and increasing multidimensional well-being of Hong Kong undergraduates. Seventy-nine students participated in a four-week randomized control trial with three arms (Gratitude vs GAP vs control). Results show that participants in both positive psychological interventions experienced significant decreases in depressive symptoms. Participants in the Gratitude condition also had significantly decreased physical distress, and increased total affect and positive affect, while daily functioning in participants in GAP significantly increased. The findings corroborate those of previous studies such that self-help intervention might have reduced depressive symptoms and enhanced functioning, despite the unstable social environment during the period of data collection. Implications on supporting mental wellness of undergraduates with lowdose, self-help interventions are discussed.