Effects of Positive Thinking on Psychological Hardiness and Psychological Well-being in Depressed Women

The presence of depression disorder could significantly impair self–care, personal life responsibility, psychological status, psychological well–being, and, the quality of life in the affected individuals. Psychological well–being consists of interdependent cognitive and emotional components. The concept of hardiness suggests that individuals could maintain their mental health, even in painful life circumstances. The ultimate goal of positive psychology is identifying the structures and practices that lead to human well–being and happiness; thus, the present study aimed to determine the effects of positive thinking on the psychological hardiness and well–being of depressed women.

This was a quasi–experimental study with a pretest–posttest and a control group design. The statistical population consisted of all women with depression referring to Behnoud Psychology Clinic of Islamshahr in the second half of 2019. The sample included 30 subjects who were selected by purposive sampling method. They were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. Both groups completed Kiamarei et al. (1998) Psychological Hardiness Scale and Ryff’s (1989) Psychological Well–Bing Inventory–Short Form. Then, the experimental group received eight 60–minute sessions of positive–thinking educational intervention. Next, both groups were re–evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS by Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) at a significance level of 0.01, and after the confirmation of statistical assumptions.

The obtained data revealed a significant difference between the mean scores of psychological hardiness and psychological well–being of depressed women in the experimental and control groups in the posttest phase. The results also indicated an increase in psychological hardiness and well–being in the experimental group, compared with the controls (p<0.001).

Based on the findings of this study, positive thinking could be used to improve the psychological hardiness and well–being of depressed women. Additionally, it is suggested that educational workshops be held for the development of health and positive behaviors in Iranian women.