Effectiveness of Humor-Based Group Therapy on Depression and Self-Esteem in Adolescents
Keywords:
Humor-based therapy, depression, self-esteem, adolescents, randomized controlled trialAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of humor-based group therapy on depression and self-esteem among adolescents.
Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial design was employed, involving 30 adolescent participants from Bulgaria randomly assigned to either an experimental group (humor-based group therapy; n = 15) or a control group (no intervention; n = 15). The experimental group participated in eight weekly 90-minute sessions focused on humor-based techniques designed to enhance emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social interactions. Dependent variables were measured using standardized tools: depression was assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and self-esteem was assessed with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale at three time points—pre-test, post-test, and a five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests through SPSS-27.
Findings: The findings revealed significant reductions in depression (F(2,54) = 28.94, p < .001, η² = .539) and significant increases in self-esteem (F(2,54) = 26.75, p < .001, η² = .498) for the experimental group compared to the control group, with substantial improvements maintained at five-month follow-up. Specifically, depression scores in the experimental group significantly decreased from pre-test (M = 27.60, SD = 4.12) to post-test (M = 15.87, SD = 3.45, p < .001) and remained stable at follow-up (M = 16.53, SD = 3.72). Self-esteem scores significantly improved from pre-test (M = 18.80, SD = 3.67) to post-test (M = 28.40, SD = 4.18, p < .001) and remained high at follow-up (M = 27.87, SD = 4.01).
Conclusion: Humor-based group therapy effectively reduced depressive symptoms and significantly enhanced self-esteem among adolescents, with beneficial effects persisting at five months post-intervention, suggesting it as a promising therapeutic option for adolescent mental health interventions.
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