Structured CBT Programme Reduces Depression and Anxiety Among University Students

A new experimental study has reported significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms among university students who participated in a structured Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programme.

Researchers initially screened 600 students from medical, paramedical and non-medical academic programmes in different cities of Madhya Pradesh using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). From this group, 180 students experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety were selected.

Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups. Ninety students received an eight-session CBT intervention, while the remaining 90 continued with their usual academic activities and received no psychological intervention during the study period.

The CBT programme included psychoeducation, identification of automatic thoughts, cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation, anxiety-management strategies, problem-solving and relapse-prevention techniques. Participants were also given structured assignments to practise therapeutic skills between sessions.

Results showed a marked improvement among students receiving CBT. Average depression scores in the intervention group fell from 12.00 before treatment to 7.96 afterwards. Anxiety scores declined from 9.60 to 5.48. In comparison, students in the control group showed only minor changes.

Statistical analysis found that improvements in both depression and anxiety were significantly greater in the CBT group than in the control group.

The researchers noted that university students frequently experience emotional difficulties associated with academic demands, performance expectations, social adjustment and uncertainty about their careers.

The findings add to evidence supporting structured, time-limited CBT interventions for managing mild to moderate psychological distress and suggest that such programmes can be incorporated within higher-education mental health and counselling services.

09-09-2026