A Positive Group Psychotherapy Intervention for Enhancing Mental Health: A Quantitative Study

Positive and transcultural psychotherapy is a humanistic and psychodynamic approach that integrates positive psychology principles with culturally sensitive and analytic methods. Rooted in both existential and psychodynamic traditions, positive and transcultural psychotherapy emphasizes the strengths and capacities of individuals across diverse cultural contexts. This study investigated the effectiveness of a structured, 24-session group psychotherapy program grounded in the principles of positive and transcultural psychotherapy. Employing a quantitative experimental design, the study involved two experimental groups and one control group assessed at different time intervals. Outcome measures included life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress related to current mental health concerns. Nonparametric analyses (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests) were conducted to assess group differences. Findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the experimental groups compared to the control group, particularly in posttest scores on negative affect, depression, and psychological discomfort. These results were consistent across both experimental groups. The study provides evidence for the efficacy of positive group psychotherapy within a transcultural framework. The significant reductions in depressive symptoms and emotional distress underscore the clinical value of incorporating strength-based, culturally informed group interventions into psychodynamic practice.