Effectiveness of Group Education Based on Health-Promoting Lifestyle on the Emotional, Social, and Academic Adaptation of Gifted Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Numerous challenges within families and contemporary societies stem from adolescent maladjustment. Consequently, understanding the influential factors affecting adaptation holds significant importance, particularly during adolescence when behavioral deviations intensify. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group education based on a health-promoting lifestyle on the emotional, social, and academic adaptability of gifted adolescents. Method: This research was conducted employing a semi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures alongside a control group. The statistical population included all high school students enrolled in the National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents schools in Sanandaj during the 2021-2022 academic year. The study sample comprised 30 gifted students exhibiting scores below 15 on the adaptation criteria, selected via convenience sampling. These students were subsequently divided into two groups of 15: an experimental and a control group. The intervention for the experimental group spanned eight weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. The data collection tools included the health-promoting Lifestyle questionnaire developed by Walker (1995) and the Sinha and Sing Adjustment questionnaire (1993). Descriptive statistics, covariance analysis, and SPSS software version 22 were utilized for data analysis. Results: Findings indicated that Group Education Based on Health-Promoting Lifestyle significantly increased the overall adaptation score (F = 44.45, p < 0.01), emotional adaptation (F = 32.87, p < 0.01), social adaptation (F = 8.83, p < 0.01), and academic adaptation (F = 23.54, p < 0.01) among gifted adolescents. Conclusion: The study's outcomes suggest that healthcare practitioners and specialists can leverage the Group Education Based on Health-Promoting Lifestyle program to improve health-related attributes, particularly in improving adaptation among adolescents

Keywords

• health-promoting lifestyle
• emotional adaptation
• social adaptation
• academic adaptation