Positive psychotherapy based on “belief in divine goodness” for subclinical depression in Iran: treatment development, feasibility, and preliminary results

Abstract

ABSTRACT Implementing positive psychotherapy in various cultures is challenging. This study assessed the clinical outcomes of a positive psychotherapy protocol based on “belief in divine goodness”, using a multiple-baseline design. We used a modified form of Seligman’s protocol on three Iranian adults with subclinical depression. Four new techniques were also added to the protocol to enhance the concept of happiness and life satisfaction, based on the dominant religious culture in Iran. The participants showed lower levels of depression but higher happiness, life satisfaction, pleasure, engagement and meaning in their lives compared to their status at the baseline. The new protocol may have psychotherapeutic benefits for use in subjects with subclinical depression. Future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to assess the true effects of this protocol compared to those achieved by standard positive psychotherapy.