The Effects of Group Activities on Social Intelligence and Depression in At-Risk Students for Depression

Abstract

The purpose of this research is 1) to study the social intelligence and depression of students at risk for depression, and 2) to compare the social intelligence and depression of students at risk for depression at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University before, after, and at follow-up intervals. The sample consisted of undergraduate students from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University at risk for depression, identified from students with depression risk scores ranging from 7 to 13, totaling 30 participants, selected through simple random sampling. The research tools used included group activities, a social intelligence scale, behavior observation records, and a depression scale. The statistical methods used for data analysis included basic statistics and comparison of variable scores using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (matched pairs). The findings were as follows: 1) Most of the students at risk for depression were female, primarily first-year students, and the majority were from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2) The analysis of the average scores and standard deviations for the group activities revealed that, overall, the pre-test group activity was at the lowest level, while the post-test and first follow-up were at a high level, and the second and third follow-ups were at the highest level. 3) The analysis of the average scores and standard deviations for the depression risk showed that, overall, depression risk was at a moderate level before the experiment, severe before the intervention, moderate after the experiment, and low during the first, second, and third follow-ups. 4) The analysis of the data comparing the scores for social intelligence before and after the experiment, as well as at each follow-up period, showed an increase in social intelligence scores. 5) The analysis comparing the depression scores before and after the experiment, as well as at each follow-up period, indicated a reduction in depression scores.