Effect of Religious-based Cognitive Therapy and Logotherapy on Reducing the Depression, Anxiety, and Aggression Symptoms in University Students

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of religious-based cognitive therapy and logotherapy on reducing the depression, anxiety, and aggression symptoms in university students. The statistical population consists of all students referring to the Consultation Center at Kurdistan University in Sanandaj, out of whom 90 were selected via random sampling. By applying SCL-90-R test, the level of aggression, depression, and anxiety of the participants is measured and they are randomly divided into three groups (30 subjects in each group). Thus, three groups, namely religious-based cognitive therapy, logotherapy and controlled groups are formed. The SCL-90-R scale is employed to measure the level of the above said symptoms in pre-test, post-test and follow-up stages. The results show that both religious-based cognitive therapy and Logotherapy reduce symptoms of aggression, anxiety, and depression of students and their effect is permanent in the follow-up stage. Also, no significant relation is found between the said two therapies. However, religious-based cognitive therapy is more effective in reducing depression symptoms compared with logotherapy.