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

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

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.

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

References

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    • Sports Psychology
    Volume 17, Issue 1
    2025
    Pages 213-228

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    History

    • Receive Date: 23 July 2022
    • Revise Date: 05 March 2023
    • Accept Date: 08 May 2023

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