The Effect of Emotion Regulation Training on Social Adjustment of Neglected Children

Background and Purpose: Neglecting the children is a risk factor for their emotional and social development that has a long-term effect on all dimensions of their lifespan development. Emotion regulation training can be one of the effective interventions to reduce the consequences of neglect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotion regulation training on social adjustment of neglected children. Method: This research was an experimental study with pretest-posttest control group design. The study population included all male and female working children covered by Welfare Department of Kashan city in 2018. A sample of 20 children aged 12 to 14 were selected by convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group received eight 90-min sessions of emotion regulation training, while the control group underwent no intervention. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997) was used to gather the data. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results of ANCOVA showed that emotion regulation training had a significant effect on social adjustment of neglected children (P>0.05, F=167.4) Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that emotion regulation training moderates the mental evaluations and reactions of the individual and thus it results in appropriate cognitive, motivational, and behavioral reactions.