Comparative Effect of Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix on the Depression of College Students

Background: Depression is a severe and debilitating mental disorder that afflicts many people worldwide. Objectives: This study tried to compare the effectiveness of Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) matrix on the depression of college students. Materials and Methods: The present study is an experimental design using a pre-test and Post-test with a control group. The therapeutic intervention in the experimental group was implemented in eight 1-h sessions once per week for female students between 18 and 35 years old, who had depression symptoms. The participants in the experimental and control groups responded to the Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II) before and after the intervention, and in followup (4 weeks after the end of the intervention). Results: According to the analysis of covariance, the ACT matrix and BATD reduced the symptoms of depression. There was no significant difference between the two groups in depression (ACT matrix and BATD) (P=0.999). This indicates the almost identical effect of the ACT matrix and BATD. Eta coefficient shows that matrix and BATD explain 0.64 of depression and these results were sustained in the follow-up stage. Conclusion: Both ACT matrix and BATD can significantly reduc the symptoms of depression in college students.