POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH
Year:2015 | Volume:1 | Issue:2 (2) |Papers Count:7

The aim of this study was investigating effect of positive thinking intervention on happiness and irrational beliefs of delinquent adolescents. The study population included modification and training institute for delinquent adolescents of Tehran. The study sample consisted of 30 subjects (in the experimental group, n=15 and control group n=15), and were selected using random sampling. Experimental group received 8 sessions– 90 minute per session- of positive thinking. All subjects using the scale Oxford Happiness Inventory, Jones Irrational Belief Test were assessed. Multivariate analysis of covariance method was used. The results showed that there were significant difference between happiness in experimental and control groups. So effect of optimism on irrational beliefs in experimental group was significant. Also the overall score of irrational beliefs was significantly reduced in adolescents who participated in the experimental group than in the control group. Positive thinking skill training method can be used as an efficient way to increase positive thinking in delinquent adolescents.so it can lead to increasing happiness.

The purpose of the study was to investigate psychometric properties of the Persian version of positive psychotherapy inventory in university students. Research method was descriptive, correlational type. The sample of the study consist of 432 MS and PhD students, 225 female and 207 male, aged between 23 to 45 of state universities of Tehran who were selected through multi-stage random sampling. To study reliability, convergent and structural validity of instrument the sample group completed, positive psychotherapy inventory (Rashid) and Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle and Hills). To investigating the reliability Cronbach alpha and test- retest method, and for validity of instrument structural validity exploratory factor analysis method and convergent validity were used. Results showed the total internal consistency of positive psychotherapy inventory was 0.80 and subscales internal consistency was between 0.80 to 0.92 respectively. In addition test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.70 for total inventory and between 0.63 to 0.73 for the subscales. Also the correlation coefficients between positive psychotherapy inventory and oxford happiness inventory were 0.73, which indicated a satisfactory convergent validity for positive psychotherapy inventory. Confirmatory factor analysis results showed three factors model of positive psychotherapy inventory in the Iranian sample. These three factors explained 79.99 variance of total inventory.

The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of happiness training and applying Fordyce cognitive-behavioral approach, on irrational beliefs of female adolescents under the Surveillance of Zahedan Welfare Organization. The study followed a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design with a control group.24 female adolescents under the Surveillance of Welfare Organization were selected using simple random sampling method and were assigned randomly into an experimental and a control group (each including 12 people). Measurement tool was Jones’ Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of Fordyce happiness training for two months and the control group did not receive such intervention. The results of analysis of covariance indicated a significant reduction in the overall mean of irrational beliefs score. It seems that the Fordyce happiness training was effective in reducing irrational beliefs of female adolescents under the Surveillance of Zahedan Welfare Organization. The subscales of irrational beliefs, including high self-expectations, blame proneness, emotional irresponsibility, anxious over concern, and helplessness for change were all lower after the training sessions.

The aim of this research was investigating the effect of Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) training program on enhancing sexual satisfaction and marital happiness in married women. The method of the study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow-up with control group. For this purpose, 22 married wives were randomly selected and assigned in to two experimental and control groups, each one 11 subjects. The Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS)(Hudson, Harrison & Crosscup) and Marital Happiness Scale (MHS) (Azrin, Naster, & Jones) were used to gather the data. The training sessions of intimate relationship skills was delivered for 8 weeks, each session lasting two hours. The control group has not delivered training. After finishing of training sessions, post-test was done for both groups. The results showed that the training of practical application of intimate relationship program had significantly improved both sexual satisfaction (eta2=44%) and marital happiness (eta2=37%) in experimental group. The Follow up has shown an effect size of 42% for sexual satisfaction and 36% for marital happiness. The results of this research similar to other researchers showed that marital happiness and sexual satisfaction were enhanced by the training of intimate relationship skills, in married wives, hence this program can be suggested to enhance couple's quality of relationship.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of positive thinking training on quality of life and reduction of depression, stress and anxiety in delinquent boys of Zahedan Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center (ZJCRC). Method of this research was a quasi-experimental with a design of pretest- posttest- follow up test and with a control group. The sample comprised of 29 boys (17 subjects in experimental group and 12 in control). Method of sampling was the census. That is, all of statistical population were be studied as sample group. Positive thinking training was conducted on the experimental group during 8 sessions with 90 minutes. After the last session the post-test, was conducted and one month after it, the follow-up test. For data gathering, the Quality of Life of Parkerson, Broadhear & Tse et al. and the Depression, Anxiety Stress of Lovibond & Lovibond were used. The results of co-variance analysis showed that the positive thinking training effected on reducing of depression, stress and anxiety and increasing quality of life. Therefore, in regard to effectiveness of positive thinking training on reducing of depression, stress and anxiety and increasing quality of life, it is recommended for Juvenile delinquent trainers to use of the positive thinking training for increasing quality of life and reducing of depression, stress and anxiety in these juveniles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of learned optimism on achievement motivation and academic resilience in female adolescents. This study was a quasi design, pre- and post-test control group and the subjects were selected among adolescents who were members of the Center for Intellectual Development of Children and Adolescents in Isfahan. These subjects selected by randomly style and divided into two experimental and control groups. They were 20 female adolescents aged between 13 to 15 years. The experimental group received optimism training in 7 sessions. Measuring tools were Hermance Achievement motivation questionnaire and Samuel’s academic resilience questionnaire. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed that learned optimism had a significant effect on achievement motivation and it’s subscales (confidence and perseverance) but it had no effect on other subscales (foresight and hard working). As well as learned optimism had no effect on academic resilience and it’s subscales (communication skills, orientation for the future, orientation for the problem-based). Based on these results focus on emotional and optimism in educational system leads to increase motivation in students and prevent failure and school drop.

The objective of the present study was to determine the structural equation model of the effects on the severity of transgressions, empathy, guilt and shame, conciliatory behaviors as well as perceived forgiveness and self-forgiveness among University students. It had a causal-correlation research method. The statistical population of the research was all BA students at Isfahan State University in 2013-14 academic year from whom 361 individuals were selected through random sampling method suitable for the sample size. The research instruments included MC Connell questionnaire of meaning differentiation Davis interpersonal reaction, Marschall, Sanftner & Tangney questionnaire of guilt and shame, McCullough, Rachal, Sandage, Worthington, Brown, Hight interpersonal motivation of transgressions, Wohl, DeShea, & Wahkinney self-forgiveness. The results of the study showed that there is a significant opposite relationship between the severity of transgression, guilt, shame and self-forgiveness. There was no significant relationship between conciliatory behaviors and self-forgiveness. Besides, there was a positive significant relationship between empathy as well as self-forgiveness and self-forgiveness. The results of structural modeling, too, showed that the variables of empathy, shame and perceived forgiveness had direct effect on self-forgiveness. Moreover, conciliatory behaviors and perceived forgiveness had mediator roles.