The Effectiveness of a Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling Intervention in Enhancing Psychological and Social Competencies among Female Vocational Preparation Students

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral counseling program in developing the psychological and social skills of female students enrolled in vocational preparation programs who are diagnosed with moderate intellectual disabilities. The research sought to determine the extent to which cognitive-behavioral techniques can enhance adaptive functioning and psychosocial adjustment within this population. Methods: The study adopted the experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements for both experimental and control groups. The sample consisted of 30 female students aged 13 -15 years, all identified as having moderate intellectual disabilities (IQ scores ranging from 50 to 70). Results: Findings revealed statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the post-test results, favoring the experimental group. These results indicate the positive impact of the cognitive-behavioral counseling program on enhancing the psychological and social skills of students with intellectual disabilities. Conclusions: The study recommends: Implementing cognitive-behavioral counseling programs in vocational education institutions serving students with intellectual disabilities, integrating psychological and social skills training into vocational preparation curricula, providing professional development programs for educational and counseling staff on the application of cognitive-behavioral techniques to foster psychosocial adjustment.