مطالب

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of positive psychotherapy on decreasing the students' stress, anxiety, depression and increasing their well-being. In this study, an   experimental research method was adopted using a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 34 undergraduate students were sampled out of 1200 students in academic year 2013-2014 University of Shahid Beheshti. Using convenience sampling, the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The instruments employed in the study included Depression/ Anxiety and Stress Scale Lovibond (1995) and positive psychotherapy inventory (Rashid & Seligman, 2013). The positive psychotherapy was trained to the experimental group on a weekly basis during six two-hour sessions. The results of covariance indicated that positive psychotherapy was effective in decreasing stress, anxiety, depression and increasing the students' well-being and that their permanence was observed two months after the experiment. Because the early period of the students' life is stressful, and as the results represented, positive psychotherapy can be beneficial for students as an effective way to strengthen the psychological resources and mental health.

The present qualitative-correlational study is aimed at developing a model for designing a happy and active learning environment in schools, and also identifying the relationships between different components of a happy learning environment and students’ mental health and stress. First, the qualitative method was used to review the relevant literature and interview several experts in the field. Accordingly, 8 main components and 36 sub-components were identified for a happy learning environment, and a conceptual model was developed. Next, the correlational method was used to determine the relationships between a happy learning environment and students’ mental health and stress. A total of 200 students (100 females and 100 males) studying at five primary schools in Kermanshah in school year 2014-2015 were selected as the sample. The inclusion criteria were the observation of some specific symptoms such as nail biting, withdrawal, aggression, and academic underachievement. Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a researcher-made questionnaire on the components of a happy learning environment were used to collect the data on the students’ behavior as observed by their parents and teachers. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent t-test.There was a significant correlation between students’ mental health and different components of a happy school environment. (p<0.01). Among the components of mental health, stress had the most significant inverse correlation with different components of a happy school environment (p = 0.01, r = -0.17). In addition, female students were mentally healthier as compared to their male counterparts (p < 0.001). However, both gender groups scored equally on liveliness (p < 0.05).Given the significant relationship between students’ improved mental health and reduced stress and the presence of a happy learning environment in schools, it can be concluded that a happy and dynamic learning environment can significantly improve students’ mental health.