Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2022.229

EFFECTS OF GROUP PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING ON NONSUICIDAL SELF-INJURY (NSSI) BEHAVIORS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DEPRESSION

Yudong Zhang ; College of International Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
Kun Huang ; College of International Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
Hongqun Cong ; College of International Education, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
Mengmeng Wang ; School of Business, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China

Abstract

Background: The depression of college students requires psychological intervention based on clinical drug treatment. Group
psychological counseling is an effective psychological intervention. This study aims to explore the effect of group psychological
counseling on negative emotions and Nonsuicidal Self-injury (NSSI) behaviors of college students with depression.
Subjects and methods: A total of 84 students with depression by screening diagnosis at Qingdao University in March 2018
were divided into the control group (n=42) and the intervention group (n=42). Students in the control group only received drug
therapy, whereas the intervention group underwent group psychological counseling intervention based on drug therapy. A
comparison between depression, self-injury behaviors, and sense of life purpose of the two groups before and after the
intervention was performed.
Results: The post-test Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) standard score of students in both groups was significantly lower than
the pre-test SDS standard score (P<0.05). The SDS standard scores of the post-test and the trace test in the intervention group were
significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the pre-test value, the total scores in the Meaning in
Life Questionnaire (MLQ) of the post-test in both groups significantly increased. The intervention group received significantly
higher scores in the MLQ of the post-test and trace test compared with the control group (P<0.05). Both groups also received
significantly higher scores in the post-test in the Quality System Audit (QSA) compared with the pre-test (P<0.05). The
intervention group also received higher scores on the post-test and trace test in some dimensions in the QSA compared with those
of the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Group psychological counseling intervention for college students with depression can alleviate their depressive
symptoms, improve their sense of life meaning, reduce the risk of suicide, and control their NSSI behaviors.

Keywords

group psychological counseling; depression; college students; Nonsuicidal Self-injury (NSSI); sense of life meaning

Hrčak ID:

280013

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280013

Publication date:

5.7.2022.

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