The prevalence of depression is increasing among students in higher education due to academic stress and interpersonal relationships. Although medication is the main form of intervention, medication alone may not achieve the desired results. Recently, cohesion education based on educational psychology has received attention and is considered as a possible effective non-pharmacological treatment.

Three hundred college and university students who had been diagnosed with depression were selected for the study. They were randomly divided into three groups: a medication group, a cohesion education combined with medication group, and a control group. Among them, cohesion education covered teamwork, group activity organisation, and interactive communication skills, which lasted for six months, once a week for two hours. All groups received conventional medication for depression. Students were assessed for depressive symptoms before, during and after the intervention using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).

HDRS scores in the cohesive education combined medication group were significantly lower than those in the medication and control groups at the end of the study. In addition, students in the combined treatment group generally reported that their interpersonal relationships improved and their teamwork skills increased.

Cohesive education based on educational psychology combined with medication has significant efficacy for students with depression in colleges and universities. This combined treatment not only helps to reduce students’ depressive symptoms, but also improves their interpersonal relationships and teamwork skills.

2016 Middle-aged and Youth Research Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Education (No. JAS160604).