Comparison of Effectiveness of FRIENDS Program, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Aerobic Exercise on Students’ Psychological Well-being

Arkian, Alireza; Jadidi, Mohsen; Mihandost, Zainab

doi:10.30476/intjsh.2021.89057.1120

Document Type : Research Article (s)

Authors

¹ Department of Psychology, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran

² Department ofof Psychology, Shahr-e-Quds Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Quds, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/intjsh.2021.89057.1120

Abstract

Background: Psychoeducation and performing physical activity are believed to be the major duties of academic settings; these might have crucial roles in improving psychological condition of students. The present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of FRIENDS psychoeducation, solution-focused brief counseling, and aerobic exercise on students’ psychological well-being. FRIENDS is acronym of Feeling, Remember to relax, Inner helpful thoughts, Explore solutions, Now reward yourself, Do it every day, and Smile and stay calm.
Method: The present study was quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test follow-up stages and control groups in terms of implementation. The statistical population of this research included all 13 to 15-year-old male students at the first grade of Model State High School in Kahrizak Education District, Tehran, Iran during academic year of 2019- 2020. Forty students were selected as our sample with non-convenience sampling method utilizing G*Power software. The subjects were assigned randomly into four intervention groups. All the subjects administered Ryff Scale Psychological Wellbeing–Short Form (RSPWB-SF) as the research instrument and consent form.
Results: Statistical analysis of the obtained data via ANCOVA showed a significant difference between the intervention groups in terms of personal growth subscale in the pre-test and follow-up stages (P=0/01); post hoc comparisons indicated that Solution-Focused Brief Therapy was more effective than other interventions. Moreover, ANCOVA indicated a significant difference between the intervention groups concerning self-acceptance subscale in the pre-test, post-test (p <0.001), and pretest-follow-up (p <0.001) stages; post hoc comparisons revealed that FRIENDS was more effective than aerobic intervention in both post-test and follow-up stages.
Conclusion: Students could benefit from psychoeducation programs along with other regular tasks in academic settings in order to improve their psychological well-being.

Keywords

References

1. Sin J, Gillard S, Spain D, Cornelius V, Chen T, Henderson C. Effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions for family carers of people with psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;(56):13-24. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.05.002. PubMed PMID: 28578249. ## 2. Chakhssi F, Kraiss JT, Sommers-Spijkerman M, Bohlmeijer ET. The effect of positive psychology interventions on well-being and distress in clinical samples with psychiatric or somatic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2018;18(1):211. doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1739-2. PubMed PMID: 29945603; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6020379. ## 3. Malinowska-Cieślik M, Mazur J, Nałęcz H, Małkowska-Szkutnik A. Social and Behavioral Predictors of Adolescents’ Positive Attitude towards Life and Self. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(22):4404. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16224404. PubMed PMID: 31717962; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6888235. ## 4. Bolier L, Haverman M, Westerhof GJ, Riper H, Smit F, Bohlmeijer E. Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:119. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-119. PubMed PMID: 23390882; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3599475. ## 5. Ho MY, Cheung FM, Cheung SF. The role of meaning in life and optimism in promoting well-being. Personality and Individual Differences. 2010;48(5):658-663. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2010.01.008. ## 6. Seligman ME. Positive Psychology: A Personal History. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2019;(15):1-23. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095653. PubMed PMID: 30525996. ## 7. Schwartz C, Waddell C, Barican J, Garland O, Gray-Grant D, Nightingale L. Treating anxiety disorders. Children's Mental Health Research Quarterly. 2012;6 (2):1-6. ## 8. Hayes SC, Strosahl KD, Wilson KG. Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press; 2011. ## 9. Stallard P, Simpson N, Anderson S, Carter T, Osborn C, Bush S. An evaluation of the FRIENDS program: a cognitive behavior therapy intervention to promote emotional resilience. Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(10):1016-9. doi: 10.1136/adc.2004.068163. PubMed PMID: 16049062; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1720103. ## 10. Proctor C, Linley PA. Research, applications, and interventions for children and adolescents. Springer; 2013. ## 11. Ryff CD. Psychological well-being revisited: Advances in the science and practice of eudemonia. Psychother Psychosom. 2014;83(1):10-28. doi: 10.1159/000353263. PubMed PMID: 24281296; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4241300. ## 12. Lee Duckworth A, Steen TA, Seligman MEP. Positive psychology in clinical practice. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;(1):629-51. doi: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144154. PubMed PMID: 17716102. ## 13. Zullig KJ, Huebner ES, Gilman R, Patton JM, Murray KA. Validation of the brief multidimensional students' life satisfaction scale among college students. Am J Health Behav. 2005;29(3):206-14. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.29.3.2. PubMed PMID: 15899684. ## 14. Trudel-Fitzgerald C, Millstein RA, von Hippel C, Howe CJ, Tomasso LP, Wagner GR, et al. Psychological well-being as part of the public health debate? Insight into dimensions, interventions, and policy. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):1712. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-8029-x. PubMed PMID: 31856772; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6923969. ## 15. Ryff CD. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1989;57(6):1069. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069. ## 16. Garcia LM, Toni CG, Batista AP, Zeggio L. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Fun FRIENDS Program. Trends in Psychology. 2019;27(4):925-41. doi: 10.9788/tp2019.4-08. ## 17. Kozina A. School‐based prevention of anxiety using the “My FRIENDS” emotional resilience program: Six‐month follow‐up. Int J Psychol. 2020;55:70-77. doi: 10.1002/ijop.12553. PubMed PMID: 30511384. ## 18. Stallard P, Simpson N, Anderson S, Carter T, Osborn C, Bush S. An evaluation of the FRIENDS programme: a cognitive behaviour therapy intervention to promote emotional resilience. Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(10):1016-9. doi: 10.1136/adc.2004.068163. PubMed PMID: 16049062; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC1720103. ## 19. Stallard P. Mental health prevention in UK classrooms: The FRIENDS anxiety prevention programme. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. 2010;15(1):23-35. doi: 10.1080/13632750903512381. ## 20. Balle M, Tortella-Feliu M. Efficacy of a brief school-based program for selective prevention of childhood anxiety. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2010;23(1):71-85. doi: 10.1080/10615800802590652. PubMed PMID: 19326270. ## 21. Sobhy M, Cavallaro M. Solution-focused brief counseling in schools: Theoretical perspectives and case application to an elementary school student. Ideas and Research You Can Use. VISTAS; 2010. Available from: http://counselingoutfitters.com/vistas/vistas10/Article_81.pdf. ## 22. Bond C, Woods K, Humphrey N, Symes W, Green L. Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2013;54(7):707-723. ## 23. Schmit EL, Schmit MK, Lenz AS. Meta-analysis of solution-focused brief therapy for treating symptoms of internalizing disorders. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation. 2016;7(1):21-39. ## 24. Bakker JM, Bannink FP. Solution focused brief therapy in psychiatric practice. Tijdschr Psychiatr. 2008;50(1):55-9. PubMed PMID: 18188829. Dutch. ## 25. Ensari I, Greenlee TA, Motl RW, Petruzzello SJ. Meta‐analysis of acute exercise effects on state anxiety: An update of randomized controlled trials over the past 25 years. Depress Anxiety. 2015;32(8):624-34. doi: 10.1002/da.22370. PubMed PMID: 25899389. ## 26. Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Rosenbaum S, Richards J, Ward PB, Stubbs B. Exercise improves physical and psychological quality of life in people with depression: a meta-analysis including the evaluation of control group response. Psychiatry Res. 2016;241:47-54. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2016.04.054. PubMed PMID: 27155287. ## 27. Winroth D, Hassmén PP, Stevens C. Acute Effects of Yin Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Anxiety. Alternative & Integrative Medicine. 2021;8(2):278. ## 28. Childs E, de Wit H. Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults. Front Physiol. 2014;5:161. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00161. PubMed PMID: 24822048; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4013452. ## 29. Koller M, Lorenz W. Study types and study issues in clinical medicine. Forensic Sci Int. 2007;165(2-3):98-107. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.010. PubMed PMID: 16806775. ## 30. Ryff CD, Singer BH. Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social Science Research. 2006;35(4):1103-19. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2006.01.002. ## 31. Bayani AA, Mohammad Koochekya A, Bayani A. Reliability and validity of Ryff’s psychological well-being scales. IJPCP. 2008;14(2):146-51. Persian. ## 32. Smith IC. A qualitative investigation into the effects of brief training in solution‐focused therapy in a social work team. Psychol Psychother. 2011;84(3):335-48. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.2010.02000.x. PubMed PMID: 22903873. ## 33. Penedo FJ, Dahn JR. Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2005;18(2):189-93. doi: 10.1097/00001504-200503000-00013. PubMed PMID: 16639173. ##

International Journal of School Health

Comparison of Effectiveness of FRIENDS Program, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Aerobic Exercise on Students’ Psychological Well-being

References

References

Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 29
April 2021
Pages 81-89

Comparison of Effectiveness of FRIENDS Program, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Aerobic Exercise on Students’ Psychological Well-being

References

References

Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 29April 2021Pages 81-89

Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 29
April 2021
Pages 81-89