Development and Effect of a Logotherapeutic Program for Problem Drinking in Female College Students

Purpose: Alcohol use in South Korean women, particularly college students, is increasing. Women are more vulnerable than men to alcohol use, which puts them at greater risk of physical and psychosocial problems. Some studies have reported that on failing to find meaning in life, many South Korean college students experience depression, subsequently using alcohol as a coping mechanism. This study aimed to develop a logotherapeutic program and identify its effects on meaning in life, depression, and problem drinking among female college students. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental trial. The participants were female college students who scored over 8 in the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Twenty-four students were assigned to the experimental group and twenty-three to the control group. Three scales were used in this study: the Purpose in Life test, Beck Depression Inventory, and AUDIT. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test in SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: After the conclusion of the logotherapeutic program, the level of meaning in life and depression were more greatly improved in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: The logotherapeutic program is an effective method to help female college students find meaning in life and reduce depression in this population.