Empowering Students: The Role of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Overcoming Exam-Related Depression

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in reducing depression and irrational beliefs among technical students at a Malaysian public university. With increasing academic pressures contributing to rising mental health challenges, the need for targeted interventions has become increasingly urgent. A total of eighty students, identified as experiencing high levels of academic anxiety and low academic performance, were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving REBT or a control group. Depression levels were assessed using the Zung Depression Inventory (ZDI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), while irrational beliefs were measured using the Irrational Beliefs Inventory (IBI). The study employed a pretest-posttest design to evaluate the outcomes. The findings revealed a significant reduction in BDI–II scores among the intervention group, whereas scores in the control group remained stable. Similarly, irrational beliefs decreased substantially following the intervention. These results suggest that REBT effectively addresses mental health issues among technical students and highlights the effectiveness of REBT in addressing mental health challenges among technical students. The implications for higher education include integrating structured mental health programs to enhance student resilience and academic performance. By fostering coping strategies through REBT, institutions can better support students facing the unique pressures of technical disciplines, enhancing their overall well-being and success in a competitive educational environment.