Comparing the effectiveness of mentalizing, positive thinking, and interpersonal problem solving therapies on social problem solving in adolescents at risk for anxiety

Authors
mohammadreza rasoulitabar
keivan kakabraee
Karim Afsharnia
Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of mentalization, positive thinking, and interpersonal problem-solving therapies on social problem solving in adolescents at risk of anxiety. This study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design and a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included all adolescents at risk of anxiety who referred to counseling and psychotherapy centers in Kermanshah in 1403. The study sample included 80 eligible volunteers (based on inclusion and exclusion criteria) who were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to four groups: mentalization therapy (20 people), positive thinking therapy (20 people), interpersonal problem-solving therapy (20 people), and control group (20 people). The research instruments included the Beck Anxiety Inventory (1988) and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory by D'Zurilla et al. (2002). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26. The findings showed that there was a significant difference between the three therapeutic interventions in terms of their effects on social problem solving in adolescents at risk of anxiety. Also, interpersonal problem-solving therapy was more effective in improving social problem solving compared to mentalization and positive therapies. Based on the results, interpersonal problem-solving therapy can be used as an effective intervention to improve the social problem-solving ability of adolescents at risk of anxiety and help improve the mental health of this group by increasing psychological adjustment and improving the way they deal with life challenges. Therefore, it is recommended to consider using this therapeutic approach in preventive programs and mental health interventions for adolescents.
Keywords
Mentalization therapy
positive therapy
interpersonal problem-solving therapy
social problem-solving
Adolescent
anxiety
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