Effectiveness of Existential Group Therapy on Depression Levels in Female High School Students

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common and debilitating mental disorders among adolescents, significantly affecting cognitive functions, behaviors, and emotional well-being. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of existential group therapy on depression levels in female high school students.Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of ۴۲۰ female high school students in District ۱۵ of Tehran during the ۲۰۲۳-۲۰۲۴ academic year. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, ۲۰۰ students were initially selected through convenience sampling for screening. Using Beck Depression Inventory-II cut-off points (score >۱۴), ۹۶ students were identified, from whom ۳۰ were randomly selected and assigned to experimental (n=۱۵) and control (n=۱۵) groups. The experimental group received ۹ sessions of ۹۰-minute existential group therapy based on Prochaska and Norcross's protocol. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Findings revealed that existential group therapy significantly reduced depression in female high school students (F=۱۶.۱۰۲, P<۰.۰۱, η²=۰.۳۶۵). Significant differences were observed between pretest, posttest, and follow-up scores in the experimental group (P<۰.۰۰۱), while the control group showed no significant changes.Conclusion: Existential group therapy effectively reduces depression in female high school students by addressing existential concerns such as meaning, responsibility, freedom, and isolation. This approach helps adolescents develop a more authentic and meaningful perspective on life, enhancing their psychological resilience and emotional well-being.

کلیدواژه ها:

Depression ، Existential Therapy ، Group Therapy ، Students ، Adolescents