This study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy on university students, specifically in terms of their mental health improvement. The previous studies regarding positive psychology as well as changes in mental health are examined. In this study, Korean University Mental Fitness Positive Psychotherapy Program (Kim & Ko, 2009) was administrated. To examine the effectiveness of this program on mental health of university students, 18 students’ mental health at Seoul-based University were compared before and after the program participation. Students who heard the lecture ‘happiness psychology’ on July 19th, and 20th, 2011, which was held under student counseling center of the University had an opportunity to participate in group counseling therapy. 28 students applied to participate in positive psycho-counseling and therapy. They were asked to participate total 8 sessions for 8 weeks, once in a week. All participants were divided into 5 groups, and could join the group according to their convenience. Each group program was conducted by an independent counselor. Out of 28 participants, there were 9 dropouts, 1 who didn’t complete post-test, leading to 18 students’ data which were used in analysis.
In this study, mental well-being and mental disorder were set as an indicator of the student’s mental health. Korean Mental Health Continuum short-form (K-MHC-SF) and Korean Mental Disorder Inventory (K-MDI) were used to measure each index of mental health.
Results of this study showed that participants’ mental health was improved by positive psychotherapy. After comparing before and after the effect of program participation, mental health quotient increased 16%, from 65 to 75.2. Also, after program, students who classified as ‘flourishing’ group increased from 6 students to 11, and those in ‘languishing’ group decreased from 5 students to 3. Therefore, it is implied that after participation in positive psychotherapy, there was a positive change in mental health in general.
This study has significance that positive psychotherapy has a significant effect not only in overcoming maladjustment and recovering to “languishing” group, but also in letting students who have average mental health to reach psychological prosperity.