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Volume 25, Issue 159 (5-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(159): 1-14 |
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Rahimi mobaraki M A, Gamari H, RezaiiSharif A, Sadri Damivchi E. (2026). Examining the Effectiveness of the “Effective Caregiver” Educational Program on the Improvement of Psychological Well-Being and Individual and Social Adjustment among Adolescents Residing in Residential Care Centers. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(159), : 7 doi:10.61186/jps.25.159.7
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2920-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2920-en.html
Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. , H_ghamarigivi@uma.ac.ir
Abstract: (233 Views)
Background: Adolescents residing in residential care centers often face significant challenges regarding psychological well-being and individual and social adjustment due to their unique circumstances. Despite the vital importance of providing effective support to this vulnerable group, few studies have specifically investigated the effectiveness of targeted educational programs for caregivers in these centers.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the “Effective Caregiver” educational program on improving psychological well-being and individual and social adjustment among adolescents living in residential care centers.
Methods: This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population included all adolescents residing in residential care centers under the supervision of the Welfare Organization in East Azerbaijan Province. From this population, 30 adolescents were selected through simple random sampling. These 30 participants were then randomly assigned (by lottery) to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in a 10-session “Effective Caregiver” educational program. This program was designed based on attachment theory, social support, and social learning theory, and tailored to the developmental characteristics of adolescence as well as the specific challenges faced by adolescents in residential care centers. Research instruments included the Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff, 1989) and the California Personality Inventory (CPI; Clark et al., 1939). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-26. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The findings indicated that the “Effective Caregiver” educational program had a significant effect on improving psychological well-being and individual and social adjustment among adolescents in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Specifically, the analyses showed that the psychological well-being of adolescents in the experimental group (across all measured dimensions) improved significantly compared to the control group. The largest effect size in the dimensions of psychological well-being was observed in “positive relations with others” (effect size = 0.535). Furthermore, individual and social adjustment also increased significantly in the experimental group, with the largest effect size reported in the social adjustment component (effect size = 0.620).
Conclusion: Given the significant effectiveness of the “Effective Caregiver” educational program, it can be concluded that investing in the training and empowerment of caregivers in these centers is a practical and effective strategy for enhancing the mental health and adjustment of adolescents in residential care. Therefore, it is recommended that the authorities and policymakers of the Welfare Organization consider implementing similar educational programs as part of their supportive strategies to improve the situation of adolescents under the care of residential centers.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the “Effective Caregiver” educational program on improving psychological well-being and individual and social adjustment among adolescents living in residential care centers.
Methods: This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population included all adolescents residing in residential care centers under the supervision of the Welfare Organization in East Azerbaijan Province. From this population, 30 adolescents were selected through simple random sampling. These 30 participants were then randomly assigned (by lottery) to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group participated in a 10-session “Effective Caregiver” educational program. This program was designed based on attachment theory, social support, and social learning theory, and tailored to the developmental characteristics of adolescence as well as the specific challenges faced by adolescents in residential care centers. Research instruments included the Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff, 1989) and the California Personality Inventory (CPI; Clark et al., 1939). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-26. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The findings indicated that the “Effective Caregiver” educational program had a significant effect on improving psychological well-being and individual and social adjustment among adolescents in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Specifically, the analyses showed that the psychological well-being of adolescents in the experimental group (across all measured dimensions) improved significantly compared to the control group. The largest effect size in the dimensions of psychological well-being was observed in “positive relations with others” (effect size = 0.535). Furthermore, individual and social adjustment also increased significantly in the experimental group, with the largest effect size reported in the social adjustment component (effect size = 0.620).
Conclusion: Given the significant effectiveness of the “Effective Caregiver” educational program, it can be concluded that investing in the training and empowerment of caregivers in these centers is a practical and effective strategy for enhancing the mental health and adjustment of adolescents in residential care. Therefore, it is recommended that the authorities and policymakers of the Welfare Organization consider implementing similar educational programs as part of their supportive strategies to improve the situation of adolescents under the care of residential centers.
Article number: 7
Keywords: Effective Caregiver Training Program, Psychological Well-being, Individual and Social Adjustment, Foster Homes, Welfare Organization.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/04/25 | Accepted: 2025/06/26 | Published: 2026/05/22
Received: 2025/04/25 | Accepted: 2025/06/26 | Published: 2026/05/22
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)