The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Group Psychotherapy on Self-Control in Individuals with Depressive Symptoms Referring to Counseling Centers
Keywords:
depressive symptoms, self, control, Cognitive, behavioral group therapyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic group psychotherapy in improving self-control and its components among individuals with depressive symptoms referring to counseling centers.
Methodology: This applied study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with depressive symptoms who attended counseling centers in Qom, Iran, in 2025. Twenty eligible participants were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group, with 10 participants in each group. The experimental group received Davanloo’s intensive short-term dynamic group psychotherapy in nine 90-minute sessions held twice weekly, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Tangney et al. Self-Control Scale. Multivariate and univariate analyses of covariance were performed using SPSS version 27.
Findings: Multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the combined self-control components (Wilks’ Lambda=0.165, F=7.157, p=0.005). Univariate analyses indicated that the intervention significantly improved general capacity for self-regulation (F=14.449, p=0.001, η²=0.449), healthy habits (F=7.774, p=0.014, η²=0.312), and work ethic (F=11.438, p=0.003, η²=0.391). However, no statistically significant effects were observed for deliberate/impulsive actions (F=0.100, p=0.756) or reliability (F=2.057, p=0.172).
Conclusion: Intensive short-term dynamic group psychotherapy appears to enhance selected dimensions of self-control, particularly self-regulatory capacity, healthy habits, and work ethic, among individuals experiencing depressive symptoms. Accordingly, this intervention may be incorporated as a complementary psychological treatment in counseling centers, although further studies with larger samples and follow-up assessments are required.
Downloads
References
Ahmadi, F., Vatankhah Amjad, F., Kazemi Rezaei, A., & Mohammadi, S. (2021). The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy on Anxiety, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Guilt Symptoms in Individuals Bereaved by COVID-19. Quarterly Journal of Nursing Management, 10(3), 69-81.
Alirezaei, S., Shariatnia, K., & Akbari, H. (2022). Comparing the Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Self-Compassion in Patients with Cancer. Avicenna Journal, 24(4), 43-53.
Arfa, M. (2021). Adolescent Risk-Taking Behaviors and Self-Control. Roshd-e Farhang Publications.
Arfaoui, N., Hajri, M., Abbes, Z., Halayem, S., & Bouden, A. (2022). Effectiveness of an Emotion-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program for Externalizing Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Profile. European Psychiatry, 65(1), S441-S441. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1120
Buesa, J., Campos-Berga, L., Lizaran, M., Almansa, B., Ghosn, F., Sierra, P., & Garcia-Blanco, A. (2024). Predictors of Postpartum Depression in Threatened Preterm Labour: Importance of Psychosocial Factors. Spanish Journal of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 17(1), 51-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpmh.2023.06.004
Caselli, I., Ielmini, M., Bellini, A., Zizolfi, D., & Callegari, C. (2023). Efficacy of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of affective disorders, 325(1), 169-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.161
Chonthannathi, B., Pisitsungkagarn, K., & Jurukasemthawee, S. (2022). The Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Anxiety and Emotion Regulation in Thai Middle School Students. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 44(1), 569-585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-022-09482-0
Choo, C. C., Harris, K. M., & Ho, R. C. (2019). Prediction of Lethality in Suicide Attempts: Gender Matters. OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying, 80(1), 87-103. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030222817725182
Citak, S., Avci, S. H., & Kahraman, B. B. (2021). The Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Depression and Anxiety Disorders. Psychodynamic Practice, 27(4), 372-383. https://doi.org/10.1080/14753634.2021.1951825
Cuijpers, P., Quero, S., Noma, H., Ciharova, M., Miguel, C., Karyotaki, E., & Others. (2021). Psychotherapies for Depression: A Network Meta-Analysis Covering Efficacy, Acceptability, and Long-Term Outcomes of All Main Treatment Types. World Psychiatry, 20(2), 283-293. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20860
Ebrahimi, A., & Saleh-Tarigh, E. (2022). Self-Control-Based Stress Coping Training Techniques for Students. Zarnevesht Publications.
Garke, M. A., Isacsson, N. H., Kolbeinsson, O., Hesser, H., & Mansson, K. N. T. (2025). Improvements in Emotion Regulation during Cognitive Behavior Therapy Predict Subsequent Social Anxiety Reductions. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 54(1), 78-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2024.2373784
Jafari, S., Kazemian Moghadam, K., & Ghalavand, F. (2024). The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy on Depression, Health Anxiety, and Somatic Symptoms in Patients Recovered from COVID-19. Clinical Psychology and Counseling Research, 14(1), 223-242.
Kamkar Hafshejani, M., Fathi, F., Karami, N., Shahbazi, G., & Pourmohammad Ghouchani, K. (2024). The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training on Emotion Regulation and Affect Control in Adolescents with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Twenty-First International Conference on Research in Psychology, Counseling, and Educational Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Karimi, F., & Zargar Shirazi, F. (2023). The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance in Women with Substance-Dependent Spouses. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Addiction Research, 17(70), 175-194.
Leichsenring, F., Abbass, A., Heim, N., Keefe, J. R., Kisely, S., Luyten, P., & Others. (2023). The Status of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy as an Empirically Supported Treatment for Common Mental Disorders: An Umbrella Review Based on Updated Criteria. World Psychiatry, 22(2), 286-304. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21104
Lilliengren, P. (2023). A Comprehensive Overview of Randomized Controlled Trials of Psychodynamic Psychotherapies. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, 37(2), 117-140. https://doi.org/10.1080/02668734.2023.2197617
Liu, L., Han, Y., & Lu, Z. (2023). The Relationship between Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Impostor Syndrome. Current Psychology, 42(1), 18823-18831. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03036-8
Malkomsen, A., Wilberg, T., Bull-Hansen, B., Dammen, T., Evensen, J. H., Hummelen, B., Lovgren, A., Osnes, K., Ulberg, R., & Rossberg, J. I. (2025). Comparative Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depression in Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BMC psychiatry, 25(1), 113-123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06544-6
Milo, F., Imondi, C., D'Amore, C., Angelino, G., Knafelz, D., Bracci, F., Dall'Oglio, L., De Angelis, P., & Tabarini, P. (2024). Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in Addition to Standard Medical Therapy Increases Clinical Remission in Adolescents and Young Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 18(2), 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad145
Rahi, M. (2022). A Counselors' Guide to Strengthening Adolescent Self-Control in Cyberspace. Ethics and Education Publications.
Rouhi, M., Manzari Tavakoli, A., & Tajrobekar, M. (2022). The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Integrative Self-Knowledge, Emotion Regulation, and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 21(10), 1055-1070.
Safikhani Gholizadeh, M., Haroun Rashidi, H., & Kazemian Moghadam, K. (2024). The Effectiveness of Compassion-Based Therapy on Oppositional Defiant Behavior and Self-Control in Students with a Substance-Dependent Parent. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Addiction Research, 18(71), 139-164.
Sarmadinia, M., Narouei Nosrati, R., & Rafiei Honar, H. (2018). Strategies for Strengthening Self-Control in Children Based on Islamic Sources. Islam and Psychological Research, 4(9), 7-27.
Suh, H. N., Pigott, T., Rice, K. G., Davis, D. E., & Andrade, A. C. (2023). Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Self-Critical Perfectionism and Depressive Symptoms: Comparison between Asian American and Asian International College Students. Journal of counseling psychology, 70(2), 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000653
Taheri, F. S., Bashardoust Tajalli, F., & Kashani Vahid, L. (2024). Comparing the Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Self-Efficacy in Individuals with Depression. Psychological Research and Behavioral Sciences Studies, 4(2), 65-82.
Wang, Q. (2025). The Fog of Short Videos among Adolescents: The Interwoven Influence of Family Environment, Psychological Capital, and Self-Control. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04292-8
Downloads
Publication Timeline
- Submitted
- Revised
- Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Omid Najafzadeh Rahaghi, Hassan Mirza Hosseini (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
