Fatemeh Derakhshan, Mahla Salajgheh, Dr Amine Jalali,
Volume 19, Issue 3 (Volume19, Issue 3 2025)
Abstract
| The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of choice theory-based training on responsibility and externalizing behaviors among adolescents in Kerman during the 2025–2026 academic year. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all adolescent students in Kerman, from which 30 individuals were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental group (15 students) and the control group (15 students). The experimental group received the choice theory-based intervention, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using standard responsibility and externalizing behaviors questionnaires and analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The findings showed that choice theory-based training significantly increased responsibility and decreased externalizing behaviors in the experimental group compared to the control group, and this effect remained stable during the follow-up phase. Consequently, it can be concluded that by equipping adolescents with a self-evaluation system and replacing external control with caring habits, choice theory training serves as an effective and practical intervention for promoting responsibility and curbing behavioral challenges during adolescence, and its integration into school counseling programs is recommended. |
Mrs Mahla Salajgheh, Dr Hamid Molaie,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (Volume19, Issue 4 2025)
Abstract
The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy on overt anxiety and behavioral problems in maladjusted children. The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all second-year male and female students of primary school in District 2 of Kerman in the second semester of the 1403-1404 academic year, totaling 8,500 people. Among them, 36 maladjusted children were selected through purposive sampling (based on the parent form of the Dekhanchi Children's Adaptation Questionnaire, 1377) and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (18 people in each group). Reynolds and Richmond's Children's Overt Anxiety Questionnaire (1978) and Quay and Patterson's Behavioral Problems Questionnaire (1987) were used to collect data. Child-centered play therapy intervention based on the Exline approach (1969) was implemented in 10 60-minute group sessions for the experimental group; while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that child-centered play therapy significantly reduced overt anxiety and behavioral problems in children in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Overall, the findings support the efficacy of child-centered play therapy as an appropriate psychological intervention for improving anxiety symptoms and behavioral problems in maladjusted children.
