TTĐA: Psychological intervention for an adult with symptoms of depression

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S PROJECT

1. Student's full name: NGUYEN THI NHU NGA 2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: February 19, 1978

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision No. 4058/2022/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process:

Extending the study period by 6 months from December 29, 2024 to June 28, 2025 (Decision to extend the study period No. 6934/QD-XHNV dated December 16, 2024 of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

7. Project title: “Psychological intervention for an adult case exhibiting symptoms of depression”

8. Major: Clinical Psychology (Applied Orientation) 9. Code: 8310402

10. Scientific supervisor:

- Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Sinh Phuc

- Dr. Nguyen Hanh Lien

11. Summary of project results:

This project presents a comprehensive study on depressive disorders in adults, with a focus on adults with sexual minority orientations. The project synthesizes key research and epidemiological data on depressive disorders worldwide and in Vietnam; it analyzes fundamental issues related to depressive disorders, including their concept, causes, risk factors, and impact on adults. The project also describes clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-5; and explores the relationship between depressive disorders and stress from traumatic or adverse past experiences. Furthermore, the project discusses existing assessment and intervention methods, focusing on the theoretical approach through cognitive behavioral therapy. To help adults overcome depressive disorders and improve their quality of life.

This project presents the psychological intervention process for an adult exhibiting symptoms of depression. The intervention results showed that the client experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, improved mood, enhanced positive self-image and confidence, and increased self-esteem. The client also developed the ability to identify their strengths, build core personal values, challenge and replace maladaptive beliefs, and practice coping mechanisms for stressful situations. Furthermore, the client developed emotional management skills, improved communication and self-expression abilities, thereby reducing the risk of relapse into depression and other psychological problems in life, while also strengthening social skills.

12. Practical applications:

Based on the results obtained from theoretical and practical research in clinical case interventions, this project provides further evidence of the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral approach in intervening in the symptoms of depressive disorders in adults, especially in adults with minority sexual orientations and experiencing stress due to traumatic or adverse past experiences. In addition, the limitations of the project are also addressed with the hope of providing useful lessons for novice clinicians, thereby improving the effectiveness of future therapy when applying the cognitive-behavioral approach to this client group.

13. Future research directions: None

14. Published works related to the project: None

INFORMATION ON PROJECT

1. Full name: NGUYEN THI NHU NGA 2. Sex: female

3. Date of birth: February 19, 1978

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 4058/2022/QD-XHNV dated December 28, 2022 of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:

Extending the study period by 6 months from 12 December 2024 to 28 June 2025 (Decision to extend the study period of graduate students No. 6934/QD-XHNV dated 16 December 2024 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi).

7. Official project title: “Psychological interventions for a case of an adult with depressive symptoms”

8. Major: Clinical Psychology (Applied Orientation) 9. Code: 8310402

10. Supervisors:

- Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Sinh Phuc

- Ph.D. Nguyen Hanh Lien

11. Summary of the findings of the project:

The proposal presents a comprehensive study on depression disorders in adults, with a focus on the adult group with a minority sexual orientation. The proposal aims to synthesize important research and epidemiological data on depression disorders worldwide and in Vietnam, while also analyzing the fundamental issues related to depression, including concepts, causes, risk factors, and the impact of depression on the adult population. The proposal describes the clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-5, as well as explores the relationship between depression and stress due to traumatic or adverse experiences in the past. Additionally, the proposal discusses existing assessment and intervention methods, focusing on the theoretical approach through cognitive behavioral therapy, aimed at supporting adults in overcoming depression disorders and improving their quality of life.

The proposal presents the processus of psychological interventions for an adult with depressive symptoms. The intervention results indicate that the client has significantly reduced her depressive symptoms, improved her mood, enhanced her positive self-image and confidence, and increased her self-esteem. The client has also been able to identify her strengths, establish core personal values, challenge and replace maladaptive beliefs, and practice coping strategies for stressful situations. Furthermore, the client has developed the ability to utilize emotional regulation skills, enhance her communication abilities, and express herself, thereby minimizing the risk of depression recurrence as well as other psychological issues in life, while also strengthening her social skills.

12. Practical applicability, if any:

Based on the results obtained from the theoretical and practical research process in clinical intervention, this proposal has provided additional evidence for the effectiveness of the cognitive behavioral approach in intervening in the symptoms of depression disorders in adults, particularly among adults with a minority sexual orientation and those experiencing stress due to traumatic or adverse past experiences. Additionally, the limitations of the proposal are discussed with the aim of providing valuable lessons for novice clinicians, thus enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness in the future when applying the cognitive behavioral approach to this client group.

13. Further research directions, if any: No

14. Project-related publications: No