Journal of Counseling Research

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy on well-being and depression and in adolescents with depression symptoms
Method: This was a quasi-experiment with pretest /posttest method and control group. Study sample included all the adolescents with depression who referred to counseling centers and psychiatric services in sari, Iran, in the year 2017. 51 patients were selected using random sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The positive psychotherapy experimental group was under treatment within 10 sessions, and the cognitive behavior experimental therapy was under treatment within 8 sessions, each session of 90 minutes weekly, while the control group received no treatment. The data collecting instruments used in this study were children´s depression inventory (CDI) and Riff´s psychological well-being questionnaire (RSPWB).Findings: Data analysis by using multivariate covariance method showed that both positive psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy had significant effects on increasing well-being but the efficiency of positive psychotherapy in increasing well-being was more significant compared to cognitive behavioral therapy. Also, in the analysis the two methods of psychotherapies on depression, there has been a significant difference between the control and the experiment groups. While the two therapetical approaches were equally effective in reducing depression. Conclusion: Due to emphasis on the different psychological aspects and some common treating features, the two therapetical models of positive psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy were equally effective in reducing depression. But positive psychotherapy is more effective than cognitive behavioral therapy in increasing psychological well-being. So,  as one of the clinical interventions, positive psychotherapy can be used by experts and school counselors.                                                                                                                   
 

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 Aim: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and schema therapy on divorce tendency and marital interactions among couples applying for divorce with less than five years of marital life. ▌Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with two intervention groups (positive psychotherapy and schema therapy) and one control group, conducted across three phases: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all couples with less than five years of marital life who referred to counseling centers in Ahvaz City for divorce applications in the year 1403 (Iranian calendar). The sample included 45 couples who were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups (15 couples per group). The control group received no intervention. The positive psychotherapy group participated in eight 90-minute sessions, while the schema therapy group received seven 90-minute sessions. Data were collected using the Divorce Tendency Questionnaire (Rosset et al., 1986) and the Marital Interaction Stability Questionnaire (Gottman, 1999). Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS software. ▌Findings: The results indicated that both schema therapy and positive psychotherapy were effective in reducing divorce tendency and improving marital interactions among couples applying for divorce at the posttest and follow-up stages (p < 0.001). Positive psychotherapy was more effective than schema therapy in enhancing marital interactions among couples with less than five years of marital life at both posttest and follow-up stages (p < 0.001). However, schema therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness than positive psychotherapy in reducing divorce tendency among these couples (p < 0.01). ▌Conclusion: The findings suggest that positive psychotherapy, through strengthening positive emotions and increasing intimacy, is more effective in improving marital interactions among couples applying for divorce. In contrast, schema therapy, by focusing on modifying maladaptive schemas and deep cognitive–emotional patterns, shows greater effectiveness in reducing divorce tendency. Therefore, therapists may select each approach as a targeted and appropriate intervention based on the specific problems and needs of couples