Effectiveness of Healing Codes Intervention and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Help-Seeking and Social Competence Among Female Adolescents with Depressive Symptoms

Background and Aim: Adolescent depression constitutes a profound mental health challenge, frequently precipitating deficits in psychosocial functioning, notably in help-seeking behaviors and social competence. The present study aimed to evaluate and contrast the efficacy of Healing Codes Intervention (HCI) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in bolstering these domains among female adolescents exhibiting depressive symptoms. Material and Methods: The study employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design and targeted the entire cohort of ۲,۲۰۰ female secondary high school students in Ahvaz, Iran, during the ۲۰۲۴–۲۰۲۵ academic year. Through clustered random sampling, ۴۵ participants meeting depressive symptom criteria—verified by DSM-۵ guidelines and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)—were recruited and randomly allocated to three equal groups (n=۱۵ per group): HCI (۱۴ weekly ۹۰-min sessions), EFT (eight weekly ۹۰-min sessions), and a no-intervention control group. Outcomes were assessed via the Help-Seeking Behavior Questionnaire and the Social Competence Scale (SCS). In addition, data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Both HCI and EFT cohorts evinced marked and enduring elevations in help-seeking behavior and social competence relative to controls (P<۰.۰۰۱; significant group× time interactions: help-seeking F=۸۶.۳۳, η²=۰.۷۰; social competence F=۳۳۳.۴۶, η²=۰.۸۴). These outcomes persisted through the follow-up phase. Although EFT yielded modestly superior immediate outcomes (e.g., a post-test social competence difference favoring EFT over HCI that was significant at P=۰.۰۱۵), intergroup disparities in therapeutic impact at follow-up were not statistically significant. Conclusion: These results affirm HCI and EFT as viable modalities for ameliorating psychosocial impairments associated with adolescent depression. Their incorporation into school-based and clinical curricula is advocated to cultivate adaptive help-seeking behaviors and interpersonal proficiencies in affected youth.

کلیدواژه ها:

Depression ، Emotion-focused therapy ، Help-seeking behavior ، Social competence