Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use and Mental Health in University Students

This study examined changes in substance use frequency, psychological well-being, and psychological symptoms among university students participating in a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based group intervention. A total of 90 university students participated in a three-group, non-randomized, quasi-experimental study. Participants were allocated according to their availability for scheduled sessions. The CBT group included 34 students who participated in seven weekly sessions lasting approximately 90 minutes each. The inactive control group included 33 students who received no intervention. The active comparison group included 23 students who participated in seven group counseling sessions focusing on personal development, communication, time management, motivation, and study skills. Participants completed measures of substance use frequency, psychological well-being, and psychological symptoms before the intervention, after the intervention, and at a three-month follow-up. The study aimed to compare changes in these outcomes across the three groups. Because group allocation was not randomized, the findings cannot establish that the intervention caused the observed changes.