Volume 24, Issue 2 (Pajouhan Scientific Journal, Spring 2026)
Pajouhan Sci J 2026, 24(2): 109-119 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.SHK.REC.1404.002
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Sadatinejad Z, Ghasemi Pirbalouti M, Kiani F. Comparing the Effectiveness of Positive Psychotherapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Hopelessness and Self-Criticism among Adolescent Girls with Social Anxiety Symptoms. Pajouhan Sci J 2026; 24 (2) :109-119
URL: http://psj.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-1254-en.html
URL: http://psj.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-1254-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran ,Mgh@iau.ac.ir
3- Department of Psychology, Bor.C., Islamic Azad University, Boroujen, Iran
2- Department of Psychology, ShK.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran ,
3- Department of Psychology, Bor.C., Islamic Azad University, Boroujen, Iran
Abstract: (767 Views)
Background and Objectives: Social anxiety in adolescence is associated with problems, such as poor academic performance, feelings of inadequacy, and increased negative thoughts, which, if persistent, may lead to hopelessness and helplessness. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy and emotion-focused therapy on hopelessness and self-criticism among adolescent girls with social anxiety symptoms.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a three-group quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and a two-month follow-up, including experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of female junior high school adolescents with symptoms of social anxiety disorder who were referred to the counseling centers of the Education Department of Kashan, Iran, during January and March 2025. Using purposive sampling, 45 adolescent girls were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (15 participants in each). The research instruments were the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (Thompson & Zuroff, 2004) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck, 1974). The first experimental group received emotion-focused therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, whereas the second experimental group received positive psychotherapy in ten 75-minute weekly sessions. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results: The findings showed that both interventions were effective in reducing hopelessness and self-criticism in adolescent girls with social anxiety, and the effects of the interventions were sustained over time (P<0.001). The findings also showed that emotion-focused therapy was more effective in reducing hopelessness (P<0.001). However, no difference was observed between the two interventions in reducing self-criticism.
Conclusion: These findings can assist therapists working with adolescents with social anxiety in making informed treatment decisions. In this regard, assessing the level of hopelessness provides a practical clinical guide for choosing an appropriate treatment.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a three-group quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and a two-month follow-up, including experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of female junior high school adolescents with symptoms of social anxiety disorder who were referred to the counseling centers of the Education Department of Kashan, Iran, during January and March 2025. Using purposive sampling, 45 adolescent girls were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (15 participants in each). The research instruments were the Levels of Self-Criticism Scale (Thompson & Zuroff, 2004) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (Beck, 1974). The first experimental group received emotion-focused therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, whereas the second experimental group received positive psychotherapy in ten 75-minute weekly sessions. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.
Results: The findings showed that both interventions were effective in reducing hopelessness and self-criticism in adolescent girls with social anxiety, and the effects of the interventions were sustained over time (P<0.001). The findings also showed that emotion-focused therapy was more effective in reducing hopelessness (P<0.001). However, no difference was observed between the two interventions in reducing self-criticism.
Conclusion: These findings can assist therapists working with adolescents with social anxiety in making informed treatment decisions. In this regard, assessing the level of hopelessness provides a practical clinical guide for choosing an appropriate treatment.
Type of Study: Research Article |
Subject:
Psychology and Psychiatry
Received: 2025/11/26 | Accepted: 2026/06/1 | Published: 2026/10/5
Received: 2025/11/26 | Accepted: 2026/06/1 | Published: 2026/10/5
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