The Effectiveness of Emotional Working Memory Training In Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies of Adolescents with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional working memory training on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategiesin adolescents afflicted with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Five adolescents (M: 2 F: 3) were selected voluntarily by some recognizing tools (SCID-I) & (IES-R)) from one of the working child care center in Karaj. Selected people – one by one were under emotional working memory training during 20 sessions. All people were assessed during three stages- pre-training, in training and 2-month follow-up by Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. For data analysis variance analysis (repeated measures) and Bonferroni test were used. The results represents that emotional working memory training results in increase in ability of participants in adaptive strategies: Refocus on Planning and Positive Reappraisal components. Also, in non-adaptive strategies: Self-blame, Catastrophizing and Other-blame had significant decreases in participants from pretest to post test and then to follow up. Regarding the current study, it can be said that emotional working memory training is an appropriate choice for improve Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in adolescents suffering from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD).