The Effect of Choice Theory-Based Group Training on Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Parent-Child Relationship in Male Adolescents

Adolescence is considered as one of the most critical life periods since adolescents are being exposed to a variety of potential stimuli, whose inappropriate response to such stimuli would prevent their proper performance in society. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of choice theory-based group training on cognitive emotion regulation and parent-child relationships in male adolescents.

The research method was experimental with a pretest-posttest-follow-up design and a control group. The statistical population included all male students of the senior -high school in Dogonbadan city in the academic year 2019. Using the multi-stage cluster sampling method, 30 samples were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (n=15 per group). The research instrument included the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) and The Parent-Child Relationship Survey. The reality therapy intervention was performed on the experimental group for ten 90-minute sessions. The follow-up was performed after 60 days. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was then used to analyze the data.

The participants included 30 male adolescents, aged between 15 and 17 years old. The research findings indicated that the choice theory-based group training was effective in promoting cognitive emotion regulation (F= 27.39, P= 0.0001) and parent-child relationship (F= 44.32, P= 0.0001). Also, their effects were sustainable until the follow-up period (P= 0.0001).

Choice theory-based group training, as a therapeutic and clinical intervention, can be used as an appropriate and effective technique to promote cognitive emotion regulation and parent-child relationships among adolescents.