ABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze the effects of behavioral activation on mental health status, self-efficacy and habitual among college students with depression and anxiety, and to provide reference for clarifying the application value of this therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety.@*Methods@#A total of 2 000 depression and anxiety students from two colleges in Beijing from Sept. 2014 to Sept. 2018 were enrolled. They were divided into control group and observation group by simple random sampling, with 1 000 cases in each group. The control group was given cognitive behavioral theory, while observation group was given behavioral activation theory. Before and after intervention, depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed by Self-rating Depression Scale and Self-rating Anxiety Scale. Mental health status was assessed by Symptom Checklist 90. Self-efficacy scoring was performed by General Self-efficacy Scale. Behaviral activation and behavior evasion were assessed by Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale-short Form. Quality of life was assessed by Short Form 36 Health Survey.@*Results@#The proportion of depressive symptoms in the observation group after intervention was 51.80%, significantly lower than 56.20% in the control group (U=5.08, P<0.05), and the proportion of anxiety symptoms was 47.30%, significantly lower than 51.50% in the control group (U=4.91, P<0.05). After intervention, mental health level, self-efficacy, quality of life, behavioral activation scores and BADS-SF total scores in observation group were significantly higher than those of control group, and behavior evasion score was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Behavioral activation can change habitual behavior among college students with depression or anxiety, improve their mental health and self-efficacy, and improve quality of life.