Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Mental Health and Suicidal Thoughts in Students

Bahare  Rahimi; Sepideh  Tavana; Maryam  Heydari; Fatemeh Zahra  Khayati Ghasemkheily; Ghazaleh  Ghasemi Kouchaksaraei

doi:10.61838/kman.hn.1.4.13

Authors

Bahare Rahimi * Master of Clinical Psychology, Tabriz Medical Sciences branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Bahareh.rahimi.78@gmail.com

Sepideh Tavana Master of Clinical Psychology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran.

Maryam Heydari Master of Elementary Education , Malayer Branch, Islamic Azad University, Malayer, Iran

Fatemeh Zahra Khayati Ghasemkheily Master of Clinical Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran

Ghazaleh Ghasemi Kouchaksaraei Master of Educational Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.hn.1.4.13

Keywords:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mental Health, Suicidal Thoughts, Students

Abstract

The current research aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on mental health and suicidal thoughts among students. This semi-experimental study was conducted with a pre-test and post-test design. The population consisted of secondary school students in Tehran during the year 2022. Mental health and suicidal thoughts questionnaires were used in this study. The sample was selected using a convenience sampling method. Subsequently, 40 participants were divided into two groups: 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. Both groups underwent a pre-test, followed by the experimental group receiving 90-minute CBT sessions weekly for 8 weeks, while the control group received no specific intervention. Afterward, a post-test was administered to both groups. The results of the data analysis using analysis of covariance indicated significant differences in mental health scores and suicidal thoughts in the post-test compared to the pre-test among participants in both the experimental and control groups. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy impacts mental health and suicidal thoughts in students.