The Impact of Training Optimism on College Students' Mental Health

AbstractObjective:The primary objective of this study was to determine whether optimism training could significantly alleviate symptoms of depression among university students. While the benefits of optimism have been extensively researched, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the direct impact of optimism training on the mental health of college students. This study aims to address this gap by exploring optimism training as a novel intervention method to improve mental health within an academic setting.Methods:A quasi-experimental design was employed, featuring pre-test and post-test measurements. The study involved an experimental group that received optimism training and a control group that did not. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized as the primary tool for assessing symptoms of depression. Statistical analyses, including repeated measures ANOVA, were conducted to compare mean differences between the experimental and control groups across different study phases.Results:The results demonstrated that optimism training significantly reduced depression symptoms in the experimental group. The mean depression score in the experimental group decreased from 17.19 in the pre-test to 13.57 in the post-test, whereas no significant change was observed in the control group.Conclusion:The findings underscore the effectiveness of optimism training as a low-cost and accessible intervention to enhance mental health among university students. This approach suggests potential integration into university counseling services to support students' mental health.