Effectiveness of Positive Thinking Training on the Acceptance and Social Interaction of Female Adolescents in the Town of Sar-e-Pol-e-Zahab

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of positive thinking training on the acceptance and social interaction of female adolescents aged 15 to 19 in the city of Sar-e-Pol-e-Zahab. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, control group, and follow-up period. In the first six months of 2020, the statistical population of the study comprised 285 female adolescents who received assistance from the Organization of Wellbeing in the town of Sar-e-Pol-e Zahab. Forty adolescents were selected using a systematic sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (20 adolescents in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). Over the course of two and a half months, the adolescents in the experimental group received positive thinking training (11 sessions). This study applied the Social Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ) and the Social Interaction Questionnaire (SIQ). The study’s data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA and the SPSS-23 statistical software. Positive thinking training had a significant impact on female adolescents’ social acceptance (F=63.82; Eta=0.64, P<0001) and social interaction (F=68.80; Eta=0.66, p<0001), indicating that this intervention was successful in improving the adolescents’ social acceptant and interaction. Positive thinking training can be an effective method for improving adolescents' social acceptance and interaction, according to the findings of this study, by employing meditation, mindfulness, using one’s strengths, confirming the self, and stating one’s values.

Keywords

• positive thinking training
• social acceptance
• social interaction