Abstract
Stressful events can adversely affect individuals’ well-being and mental health, increasing the likelihood of developing symptoms and psychopathological disorders. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of three brief individual intervention programs—positive cognitive–behavioral, mindfulness, and brief systemic—for reducing emotional distress and enhancing well-being in individuals exposed to a stressful event within the past 3 months. Participants (N = 147) were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention programs or a waiting-list control group. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression, post-traumatic growth (PTG), and life satisfaction were assessed at three points: before the intervention, 1 month after the intervention, and at the 6-month follow-up. Analyses revealed significant improvements across all four variables at post-intervention, with moderate to large effect sizes, and no significant differences between the programs. These findings support the effectiveness of brief intervention programs in reducing emotional distress and enhancing well-being. The contributions and limitations of these brief interventions for individuals exposed to significant life events are discussed.