Positive Psychology – to alleviate features of Depression as an adjunct to standard interventions

Author Name: Lt Col Indira Das

Volume: 02/01

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/05.2024-49347256/GIJNR

Affiliation:

1. Professor & HOD, Dept of Mental Health Nursing, CON, Command Hospital, Lucknow, India.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: An estimated 3.8% of the global population experience depression. National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 revealed that one in 20 Indians suffers from depression. 54% of adults show improvement after antidepressant medication. 66% of adults show improvement after CBT. Research has shown Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI) is equally or more effective than CBT in alleviating features of depression, however not a mainstream therapy in this regard. Aims: To determine the effectiveness of PPI as an adjunct to standard interventions in alleviating features of depression in patients admitted or attending OPDs with Depressive Episode in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Quasi Experimental study conducted in Psychiatry OPD and Ward on 50 patients diagnosed with F32 through consecutive sampling. After matching BDI Score, 25 patients were placed in control and 25 in experimental group. The control group received standard intervention of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychoeducation and anti-depressants drugs. Whereas the experimental group received three sessions of Positive Psychology Interventions over nine days in adjunct to standard treatment. BDI re-assessed after 1 week of last session. Results: The mean pre-intervention BDI score of control and experimental groups are 22.6 and 22.52 respectively and the difference is statistically insignificant. Whereas post-intervention BDI score of control and experimental groups are 20.43 and 17.48 respectively and the difference is statistically significant. Conclusion: The module of PPI has proved its mettle as an adjunct to standard intervention which may bridge the treatment gap and bring about better outcomes in patients with depression.

Key words: Positive Psychology, Depression, Intervention