A comparative study on the efficacy of Positive Psychology Intervention and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Clinical Depression

Abstract

Background: Depression affects millions globally, with a high prevalence in Pakistan. Effective interventions are critical, yet comparative evidence for Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing psychological well-being among clinically depressed adults is limited.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of PPI and CBT in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing psychological well-being among clinically depressed patients.

Methods: In a two-group pre-post experimental design, 120 adults with clinical depression were randomly assigned to 12-week PPI (n=60) or CBT (n=60) interventions at Sharif Medical City Hospital Lahore from January to June 2024. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) [2], and psychological well-being with Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) [3] pre- and post-intervention. Paired and independent t-tests analyzed outcomes.

Results: Both interventions significantly reduced BDI-II scores (p<0.001), with CBT showing a greater reduction (mean difference=9.3) than PPI (6.9, p<0.01). Both increased PWB scores (p<0.001), with PPI yielding a larger increase (81.6) than CBT (69.4, p<0.01).

Conclusion: CBT is more effective in alleviating depressive symptoms, while PPI excels in well-being enhancement, suggesting tailored or integrated approaches for depression treatment in resource-limited settings like Pakistan.