ARTICLE INFO

Article Type

Original Research

Authors

Mallahi   M. (*)
Niknezhadi   F. (1)






(*) Guidance & Counseling Department, Humanities Faculty, Khomeini Shahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
(1) Guidance & Counseling Department, Humanities Faculty, Khomeini Shahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Correspondence

Address: Humanities Faculty, Khomeini Shahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Isfahan, Iran
Phone: -
Fax: -
mallahi2000@yahoo.com

Article History

Received:  June  10, 2016
Accepted:  August 14, 2016
ePublished:  August 31, 2016

BRIEF TEXT


Any problem that threatens the normal operation of a family is considered as one of the \ factors threatening mental health [1].

… [2-22]. The findings of a study conducted by Motamedian showed that positivistic skills training can be effective in improving high school students` coping styles [23].

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of optimism skills (positive psychology approach) on improving the parent-adolescent (daughter) relationship and mental health quality improvement of girls in veterans` families.

This study is experimental with pretest-posttest design.

This study was conducted among high school students from veteran families in Isfahan in the academic year 2015-2016.

Of the 130 students, 30 students were selected through stratified random sampling and they were randomly assigned in two groups of experimental (n=15) and control (n=15).

The data collection tool was the father form questionnaire which was developed by Fine et al. [24] and contains 24 questions and four components of positive affect, father`s involvement, communication or dialogue, and the anger which has been set based on seven degree Likert scale. To determine the test reliability, Cronbach`s alpha was used. This method is used for calculating the internal consistency of measurement tool which measures various properties. For this purpose, using data from the questionnaire, Cronbach`s alpha reliability coefficient was calculated for this tool. In the study conducted by Parhizgar, the calculated reliability coefficients for the father`s form was 0.93 indicating good internal consistency [25]. The internal consistency reliability coefficient was calculated 0.934 in this study that shows a good correlation between the questions. In the Fine et al. study to determine the validity of this scale, confirmatory factor analysis has been used that shows the high and good relation between the items [24]. The experimental group, received optimism skills during eight 60-minute session. However, during this period, the control group received no training. After the implementation of educational sessions, posttest was administrated for both groups. Collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS 16 and University analysis of Covariance ( to control for confounding variables and the effectiveness of treatment).

The mean score of parent-child relation in the control group and pretest and posttest stages were 93.80±11.37 and 96.53±11.40 respectively and it was 74.40±25.58 and 107.66±18.71 in the pretest and posttest stage of experimental group respectively that the mean of parent-child relation in the posttest stage was significantly higher in the control group. The effect or difference was equal to 0.437 i.e. 44% of individual differences in the scores of parent-child relation was related to the effect of positivism skills. Statistical power was, also, equal to 0.993. Therefore, training optimism skills with controlling the pretest effect could improve the parent-child relation (The main component) in the daughters (p<0.05).

… [26-27]. Brissette et al. in the study titled “ The effect of optimism on the development of social networks, dealing with stress, and psychological adoption” concluded that optimism can lead to prosperity and better adoption in dealing with stress in life situations, and it can develop social network with the emphasis on the potentialities and capabilities [28].

It is suggested that further studies be conducted with larger sample group of both sexes, different ages (children and youth), with a long duration of follow-up (6 months to a year), qualitative research method and in other populations such as adolescents with addicted or divorced parents.

This study has some limitations including short run time, the impossibility of fathers` presence, type of the study (quasi-experimental), etc.

Positive psychology approach with emphasis on optimism skills in order to improve the relationship between parents (especially veteran parents) and adolescents is effective. This method is also efficient in promoting their mental health and psychological adoption.

The sincere cooperation of all adolescent girls in the veteran families participating in this research and all those who provided the possibility of doing the research are appreciated.

Non-declared

Assurance about confidentiality of information and preparing the samples mentally and psychologically for participating in the research were the observed ethical issues in this research.

The authors provided the funds for this research.


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