Research Strategies in Educational Sciences

Research Strategies in Educational Sciences

The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and reality therapy on cognitive emotion regulation in socially traumatized adolescent girls

Authors
1 1. M.A. of Clinical Psychology, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
2 Ph.D. Student of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
3 3. Ph.D. Student of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Background and Aims: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Reality Therapy on cognitive emotion regulation among socially vulnerable adolescent girls.
Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest, control group, and follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all 13–15-year-old socially vulnerable girls referred to the Social Emergency Center of Qaemshahr during the 2024–2025 periods. The sample included 45 adolescents who were selected through purposive sampling based on the inclusion criteria from among the referred socially vulnerable girls, and were then randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. The data collection instrument was the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire developed by Garnefski et al. (2001). Data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA in SPSS-26.
Findings: The results indicated that Dialectical Behavior Therapy was the most effective method for improving cognitive emotion regulation among socially vulnerable adolescent girls and showed greater effectiveness compared to Reality Therapy.
Conclusion: Use of DBT is recommended particularly in intervention centers, welfare and social services organizations, counseling centers, and educational settings that work with at-risk adolescents
Keywords