The Effectiveness of Improving Executive Functions on Reflective Function and Social Competence of Orphan Adolescents
Subject Areas : روانشناسی تحولی
Mahdieh Yasari Azad
1
,
azam farahbijari
2
*
1 - Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: social competence, executive functions, reflective function, orphan adolescents,
Abstract :
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of executive functions improving on the reflective function and social competence of orphaned adolescents. This research was an experimental study with pretest-posttest control-group design, and the results were followed up after three months. Among orphan girls aged 13-17 in Tehran, 30 adolescents were selected using convenience sampling method, and randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the Reflective Function Questionnaire for Youth (Sharp et al., 2009), and the Felner Social Competence Scale (Karami & Parandin, 2008). The members of the experimental group were trained in execu- tive functions by using Captain’s Log software in 12 sessions. The results of data analysis indicated that the improvement of executive functions significantly increased the average scores of the social competence in experimental group in posttest and follow up. However, the results regarding improvement in reflective function were not significant. According to the findings of the research, the improvement of executive functions can be used as a meta-diagnostic intervention that, while increasing the mental and cognitive abilities, leads to the improvement of social competence and skills of adolescents.
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