Background and Objectives: SMS therapy is a subset of information therapy (IX). Information therapy is defined as the provision of appropriate information to the appropriate person at the appropriate time. This term refers to the provision of evidence-based medical information to specific physical or mental patients at the appropriate time to help change behavior or make health decisions. SMS therapy attempts to influence the individual's mind by using targeted, positive messages and the power of words, and to empower the mind in a targeted and planned manner to solve a specific problem or improve its current ability. This method is a product of modern information and communication technologies and media and their impact on the individual and society. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of SMS therapy on the psychological well-being of students at the University of Medical Sciences, so that it can change people's attitudes and provide information for decision-making and policy-making to those responsible for student mental health.
Methodology: The present study was an applied intervention study conducted using a quasi-experimental method (pre-test-post-test with a control group). The research population was students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The sample was randomly selected through block randomization method and by observing the criteria of being an undergraduate student, willing to participate in the study, having a mobile phone, and obtaining average to low scores on the initial questionnaire. They were completely randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (60 in the experimental group and 68 in the control group). The exclusion criterion from the study was unwillingness to continue cooperation. The data collection tool was the standard Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire (a short questionnaire with 18 questions on a 6-point scale). The data were analyzed using SPSS20 software, descriptive inferential statistics, and an independent t-test. First, the questionnaire was completed by both the control and experimental groups. Then, 30 text messages related to psychological well-being (such as "A healthy person intends in his current environment and conditions - despite current difficulties and problems – control that he can have over his own life") were sent to the experimental group at a specific time (9 text messages per week, with a length between 20 and 30 words) for 2 months. The content of the text messages was prepared and approved by the psychologist who co-authored the article, with regard to the topic of psychological well-being. In order to receive the messages, it was decided that each subject would send a text message to the researcher on Friday. After two months of intervention and one month of the period to consolidate the effectiveness (A total of three months from the start of SMS therapy) The questionnaires were again completed by the two control and experimental groups to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention and were compared through an independent t-test.
Findings: There was no significant difference between the mean scores of psychological well-being in the two experimental and control groups in the pre-test and post-test. In other words, before the intervention, the mean score of psychological well-being of the two groups did not differ (p= 0.79). Also, after the SMS therapy intervention, there was no change in the mean score (p= 0.97). Therefore, there was no significant difference between the mean total score of psychological well-being change in the experimental (p= 0.44) and control group students (p= 0.10), in the comparison before and after the intervention (holding SMS therapy). In other words, SMS therapy did not have an effect on improving the psychological well-being of the studied sample.
Discussion: The present study showed that SMS therapy did not have a significant effect on the psychological well-being of students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Among the reasons for this lack of effect are the moderate initial level of psychological well-being scores in students and the traditionally method of sending the SMS. Therefore, it is suggested that new methods that are popular and interesting to students (such as social networks) be used to intervene in improving psychological well-being. In addition, it is necessary to consider the intervening variables in psychological well-being in other studies. Also, considering the lack of significant effect of SMS therapy on the psychological well-being of students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, it is suggested that appropriate training courses be held using other methods that are popular with students to empower them