Effectiveness of encouragement training in alleviating depression among Soldiers

Maintain physical health and psychological readness، and given that military personnel and soldiers in military environment is very important. The main purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of encouragement training in alleviating depression among soldiers. The design of research from the type semi experimental، was fulfilled in control group and with pretest-post test. The population of this research were all conscript soldiers that at least hold diplomas and degrees at third sergeant and between 18-26 years of age. 40 conscripts who received scores of 19 to 29 (moderate to severe depression) in the Beck Depression Inventory were selected randomly and inserted randomly in two experimental (20) and control (20) groups. The experimental group received 10 sessions of group encouragement training (two sessions of 90 minutes in week). Symptoms of depression in both group was evaluated before (pre test) and after (post test) of the intervention program. Research data analyzed using Covariance analyze method. Findings of the present study indicated that group encouragement training program reduced the symptoms of depression in the experimental group significantly more than control group. Effectiveness of group encouragement training program in alleviating soldier`s depression needs more theoretical and practical implications that are discussed here.