Behavioral Activation as a Therapeutic Intervention for Reducing Depressive Symptoms among University Students: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental SingleCase Stud

Depression represents one of the most widespread psychological disorders among university students, often affecting their academic performance, emotional stability, and social functioning.In recent years, behavioral activation has emerged as an effective psychotherapeutic intervention within the broader framework of cognitive-behavioral therapies, particularly for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms.The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of a behavioral activation-based therapeutic model in alleviating depressive symptoms among university students.To achieve this objective, the study employed a quasi-experimental approach using a single-case design (AB design).The research was conducted at the Youth Center of Djilali Hamani in the Wilaya of Relizane, Algeria.The sample consisted of a 28-year-old female university student who presented clinically significant depressive symptoms.Data were collected using several tools, including a clinical interview, direct behavioral observation, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) translated into Arabic by Bashir Maamaria (2010).In addition, a structured therapeutic intervention program based on behavioral activation techniques was developed and implemented by the researchers.The intervention program consisted of 12 individual therapeutic sessions, each lasting approximately 45-60 minutes, delivered weekly.The program focused on encouraging the participant to engage in meaningful and rewarding activities, restructuring daily routines, strengthening social interaction, and enhancing exposure to positive environmental reinforcement.The therapeutic process also emphasized self-monitoring of mood changes, goaldirected activity planning, and the gradual reduction of avoidance behaviors associated with depressive states.The results of the intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms following the implementation of the behavioral activation program.Improvements were observed in several psychological dimensions, including mood stability, motivation, social engagement, and overall psychological well-being.The findings indicate that behavioral activation can be an effective therapeutic approach for supporting university students experiencing depressive symptoms, particularly in contexts where access to long-term psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment may be limited.Overall, the study highlights the practical relevance of behavioral activation as a structured, accessible, and culturally adaptable psychological intervention for improving mental health outcomes among university Behavioral Activation as a Therapeutic Intervention for Reducing Depressive Symptoms among University Students: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Single-Case Study -Soulaf Benyakoub, Asma Benhalilem, Amar Abdelhak populations.The results also contribute to the limited body of research examining the application of behavioral activation therapy in Arab and North African contexts, emphasizing the importance of expanding evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to local cultural and social environments.