Study on the positive psychological intervention to improve mental health of undergraduate nursing students

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the positive psychological intervention on the mental health of undergraduate nursing students.

MethodsSixty-six nursing students from grade one to grade three in Bengbu Medical College were screened, and randomly divided into the intervention group(n=32) and control group(n=34).The intervention group was treated with positive psychological intervention for 6 weeks, while the control group was treated with routine psychological activities.The nursing students were investigated using the SDS, SAS, satisfaction with life scale and index of well-being at baseline, after 6 weeks, 1 month and 6 months of intervention.

ResultsThe differences of the life satisfaction score, happiness index, depression and anxiety scores between two groups at T0 time-point were not statistically significant(P>0.05).At T1, T2 and T3 time-points, the scores of satisfaction with life in intervention group were higher than that in control group(P < 0.05).The scores of the index of well-being, depression and anxiety in intervention group were lower than those in control group(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The differences of the scores of satisfaction with life index of well-being and depression in intervention group among all time-points were not statistically significant(P < 0.01), and the scores of satisfaction with life, index of well-being and depression in intervention group at T1, T2 and T3 were higher than those at T0(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe positive psychological intervention can improve the life satisfaction and well-being, relieve depression, anxiety and negative emotions, and improve the mental health of nursing students.