Sports Psychology

Sports Psychology

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy, Logotherapy, and Behavioral Activation Therapy on Physical Activity among Depressed University Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Zare Neyestanak 1
Fatemeh Shariati 2
Ali Abedini 2
Mitra Koroghli 2
1 Department of Psychology, Naein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naein, Iran.
2 PhD Student in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Naein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naein, Iran.
10.48308/MBSP.2023.106862.1093
Abstract
Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the differences in the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy, logotherapy, and behavioral activation therapy on physical activity among depressed university students.
Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest–follow‑up and a control group. The statistical population consisted of undergraduate students of Islamic Azad University, Naein Branch, in 2024. From this population, 60 students were selected using convenience sampling based on the cutoff score of the Beck Depression Inventory. Participants completed the Walker Health‑Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) in the pretest, posttest, and follow‑up stages. The experimental groups received 8 sessions of mindfulness therapy, 10 sessions of logotherapy, and 10 sessions of behavioral activation therapy. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS version 23.
Results: The findings indicated that all three interventions—mindfulness therapy, logotherapy, and behavioral activation therapy—had a significant effect on the physical activity of depressed students (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that psychological interventions, particularly mindfulness therapy, logotherapy, and behavioral activation, can enhance individuals’ engagement in physical activity by improving cognitive and motivational processes. Therefore, implementing these therapeutic approaches in intervention programs and educational workshops in counseling centers and university settings may contribute to increasing physical activity and improving students’ mental health.
Keywords
Depression
Mindfulness
Behavioral Activation
Physical Activity
Logotherapy
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  •  
    • Sports Psychology
    Volume 17, Issue 1
    2025
    Pages 213-228

    • Receive Date 23 July 2023
    • Revise Date 06 April 2024
    • Accept Date 07 May 2024