How dialectical behavioral-based intervention affects nursing college students' hope, somatic symptoms, and negative thoughts during COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of college students was typically poor; somatic symptoms, depression, negative thoughts, and hopelessness were widespread issues that should have been addressed through therapy and intervention. Objective: To examine the effect of dialectical behavioral-based Intervention (DBBI) on female nursing college students' hope, somatic symptoms, and negative thoughts during COVID-19. Methodology: In the quasi-experimental study, 28 female nursing college students were treated with DBBI (intervention group). This group was compared to 28 students who received no intervention (the control group). The somatic self-rating scale, the adult hope questionnaire, and the automatic thought questionnaire 30 were used to assess changes in students' somatic symptoms, hope, and negative thoughts. Results: The DBBI group's value-added total score of student`s hope and negative thoughts were both considerably higher than the control group (t = 2.53, p = 0.01 and t = 2.36, p = 0.03, respectively), while the value added of the total score of somatic symptoms was not statistically significant (t = 0.93, p = 0.36). The depression subscale's value-added score was significantly higher in the DBBI group than in the control group (t = 2.23, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Dialectical behavioral-based intervention is advised to develop knowledge and empower students against depression and its components because of its effectiveness in lowering negative thoughts and raising the level of hope.