Graduate students worldwide face a significant mental health crisis, with high rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout, which collectively undermine their subjective well-being (SWB). However, empirical studies on enhancing their positive psychological qualities remain scarce. This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of a 10-week integrative group hypnosis intervention on SWB and its core components among 39 Chinese graduate students, who were allocated to either an experimental group (N = 19) receiving the intervention or a wait-list control group (N = 20). Assessments at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up showed that the intervention significantly improved SWB (time × group interaction: F = 5.681, P = 0.005, η² = 0.133) and positive affect (F = 6.772, P = 0.002, η² = 0.155). At posttest, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher SWB, positive affect, subjective vitality, and life satisfaction, along with lower negative affect than the control group. The follow-up data revealed a differential trajectory, whereby the initial surge in positive affect was not fully maintained, contrasting with the more stable improvements in cognitive and energy-related components. Despite this, the integrative group hypnosis intervention effectively enhanced graduate students' overall SWB and produced beneficial effects, offering empirical evidence and a practical pathway for universities to promote positive mental health development.

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