An interventional study of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-Based Group Intervention and Group Counseling Program in Substance Use Behavior, sponsored by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-20.
Sponsored by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
This study used a three-group quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up assessments to examine substance use frequency, psychological well-being, and psychological symptoms among university students.
Participants were recruited through university announcements and posters. Ninety volunteers participated in the study. Allocation to the three conditions was based on participants' availability for scheduled sessions rather than random assignment.
The CBT intervention group (n = 34) participated in seven weekly group sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. The sessions addressed group orientation and an introduction to CBT in the context of substance use; relationships among situations, emotions, perceptions, and behaviors; cross-sectional case formulation; automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and cognitive restructuring; behavioral techniques and coping skills; problem-solving and life skills; and consolidation of gains and relapse prevention.
The inactive control group (n = 33) received no intervention during the study period.
The active comparison group (n = 23) participated in seven group counseling sessions addressing personal development, communication, time management, motivation, and study skills. Both active programs were facilitated by the principal investigator.
Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention period, and approximately three months after completion of the intervention. Substance use frequency was assessed using three self-report items concerning tobacco or nicotine use, heavy episodic alcohol consumption, and nonmedical prescription medication use during the preceding 12 months. Psychological well-being and psychological symptoms were assessed using self-report measures.
The study was conducted without random assignment. Consequently, potential selection bias and differences between the groups must be considered when interpreting the findings.
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The experimental group consisted of 34 university students who received a seven-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based group intervention. Sessions were conducted once weekly and lasted approximately 90 minutes each. The program addressed CBT principles related to substance use, relationships among situations, emotions, perceptions, and behaviors, cognitive restructuring, behavioral coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and relapse prevention. The intervention was delivered by the principal investigator.
Behavioral: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-Based Group Intervention
The no-intervention control group consisted of 33 university students who did not receive a structured psychological intervention during the study period. Participants completed the same outcome assessments as the other groups at baseline, posttest, and three-month follow-up.
The active comparison group consisted of 23 university students who participated in seven group counseling sessions focusing on personal development, communication skills, time management, motivation, and study skills. The sessions were facilitated by the principal investigator. Participants completed outcome assessments at baseline, posttest, and three-month follow-up.
Behavioral: Group Counseling Program
The intervention consisted of seven weekly group sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. The program addressed cognitive-behavioral principles related to substance use, relationships among situations, emotions, perceptions, and behaviors, cognitive restructuring, behavioral coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and relapse prevention. The sessions were delivered by the principal investigator.
The intervention consisted of seven group counseling sessions focusing on personal development, communication skills, time management, motivation, and study skills. The sessions were facilitated by the principal investigator.
Substance Use Frequency
The outcome was assessed using a three-item self-report substance use frequency questionnaire measuring the frequency of tobacco/nicotine use, heavy episodic alcohol consumption, and nonmedical prescription medication use during the past 12 months. Each item was scored from 1 (never) to 5 (daily), yielding a total score ranging from 3 to 15. Higher scores indicate more frequent substance use.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 7-week intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Psychological Well-Being
Psychological well-being was assessed using a 12-item self-report measure covering hedonic and eudaimonic dimensions of well-being. Higher scores indicate greater psychological well-being. Hedonic and eudaimonic scores were analyzed separately.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 7-week intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Psychological Symptoms
Psychological symptoms were assessed using an 18-item self-report symptom inventory covering somatization, depression, and anxiety. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. The three symptom dimensions were analyzed separately.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 7-week intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because the dataset contains sensitive information about substance use and psychological symptoms, and there is no established plan for sharing participant-level data.
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Mehmet Akif Ersoy University