A comparison of the effectiveness of positive psychology–based intervention and cognitive–behavioral therapy on job performance

Hosseini  FS; Tabatabaei Nejad  FS; Afrakhteh  S

doi:10.18502/tkj.v18i1.21489

Hosseini FS Department of Psychology, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Tabatabaei Nejad FS Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Nain Branch, Islamic Azad University, Nain, Iran
Afrakhteh S Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Tehran Branch, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v18i1.21489

Keywords: Positive psychology, cognitive–behavioral therapy, job performance, nurses, occupational health

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses, as a vital component of the healthcare system, play a crucial role in the quality of care, and their job performance is a key indicator of the efficiency of the healthcare system. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of positive psychology–based therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy in improving nurses' job performance.

Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included 2,991 nurses, from which 60 nurses were randomly selected from public and private hospitals in Yazd in 2025. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: positive psychology–based therapy, cognitive–behavioral therapy, and control. Data were collected using the Patterson Job Performance Questionnaire (1970) and analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests using SPSS version 26.

Results: Time, group, and the time × group interaction had significant effects on job performance and its subscales (discipline, sense of responsibility, cooperation, and work improvement) (p < 0.01). The positive psychology–based therapy group demonstrated higher performance in the posttest and follow-up compared to the other two groups.

Conclusion: Positive psychology–based interventions improved nurses’ job performance by enhancing positive emotions, meaning at work, and self-efficacy. These findings can provide a foundation for designing programs to promote occupational mental health in hospitals, which is a priority in occupational medicine.