The Comparison of the Choice Theory and Optimism Training on Sense of Coherence Among Students

this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the choice theory and optimism training on the sense of coherence among students. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design and control group and follow-up for two months. 120 female students were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987). Then 60 students with the lowest scores of the sense of coherence were randomly assigned to 3 groups including 2 experimental groups and one control group. The students of experimental groups participated in choice theory and optimism courses in 8 sessions. All the 3 groups were evaluated by post-test at the end of the courses and after 2 months in follow-up. The results showed that both choice theory and optimism training significantly increased sense of coherence among students, but choice theory training had more effectiveness. According to the findings of this study and the importance of the sense of coherence, both choice theory and optimism courses can be useful methods to educate students, but choice theory training is recommended as a more effective method.