A combined intervention for preventing depressive symptoms among Chinese students at Assumption University of Thailand : the effects of cultural values

Abstract

To test the effects of a combined intervention (Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression [BATD] plus Chinese values clarification exercise [CVCE]) for preventing depressive symptoms among Chinese college students at Assumption University (AU) of Thailand. Participants were Chinese students enrolled in AU with mild to moderate depressive symptoms as measured by scores of the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). 366 participants were screened by clustered-randomly selection fiom eleven faculties, 263 participants met the selection criteria, however only 102 students decided to attend the study. A quasi-experimental design was used. Students (n=5 1) fiom Bangna campus were assigned to a BATD-only as the control group; and students (n=5 1) at Hurnark campus were assigned to BATD plus CVCE as the intervention group. The two groups with assessments of depressive symptoms as indicated by the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II); Chinese value as indicated by Chinese Value Survey (CVS) at baseline, two weeks and six months follow-up were used for analysis of variance to test the effects of BATD plus CVCE. The repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) yielded significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms among intervention group at six month as compare to control group (12.33±4.91 vs. 15.28 ±4.16, p < 0.05) but at two weeks the difference between two groups is not significant as the time of practices is short. The application of the Chinese Values Scale can be helpful in a behavioral activation intervention program for Chinese international college students.