Effects of the Mental Health Promotion Program based on Positive Psychology for Adolescents with Problem Behavior

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the mental health promotion program based on Positive Psychology for adolescents with problem behavior. METHODS: The study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Eligible participants were first grade students in two high schools in K Province. The inclusion criteria for the study were those with scores in the upper 15% on the Korean Youth Self-Report. A total of 74 participants were assigned to an 8-session program (n=38) or to a control (n=36) group. The outcome variables were psychological well-being, depression, and self-esteem. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic variables or outcome variables, except self-esteem, between the two groups at the baseline. The experimental group had higher mean scores on psychological well-being and self-esteem and a lower mean score on depression. There were significant differences in psychological well-being (t=3.45, p=.001), self-esteem (F=5.45, p=.022), and depression (t=-2.80, p=.007) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The mental health promotion program based on Positive Psychology was effective in decreasing depression as well as improving psychological well-being and self-esteem for adolescents with problem behavior. This study contributes to suggesting a framework for promoting mental health for high school students with problem behavior.