Development and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Cognitive Rehabilitation Program on Social Competence and Decision-Making Skills in Gifted Adolescents with Externalizing Behavioral Disorders

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation program on social competence and decision-making styles in gifted adolescents with externalizing behavioral disorders. This study employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest structure with a control group. The statistical population included gifted adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with externalizing behavioral disorders, selected through purposive sampling. Research instruments included the Felner Social Competence Questionnaire (1990) and the Scott and Bruce Decision-Making Styles Questionnaire (1995). The experimental group participated in a structured cognitive rehabilitation program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicated that the cognitive rehabilitation program significantly increased social competence and enhanced rational and intuitive decision-making styles in the experimental group. Moreover, a reduction in reliance on avoidant and spontaneous decision-making styles was observed in this group. In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in these variables. The cognitive rehabilitation program can be considered an effective approach to improving social competence and decision-making in gifted adolescents with externalizing behavioral disorders. The findings underscore the importance of implementing cognitive interventions to enhance social and decision-making skills in this population, and it is recommended that such programs be utilized in educational and counseling settings for adolescents facing similar challenges.