The Effects of Attribution Retraining on Optimism and Pessimism of Elementary School Students in Ahwaz, Iran

Optimism, due to its impact on mental and physical health, is of utmost importance. Finding practical and scientific methods to increase optimism and alleviate pessimism are essential. The purpose of the present study was to identify the effect of attribution retraining on optimism, and pessimism of female six-grade elementary students in Ahwaz primary schools, Iran. The attribution retraining was considered as independent variable and optimism and pessimism were considered as dependent variables. In the present experimental study, 54 sixth-grade primary school students were randomly selected and then divided to two groups of experiment and control groups. The present study was a field experimental research, including pretest-posttest and control group. The research instrument was the Children's Attribution Styles Questionnaire (CASQ) and was presented by Seligman, translated by ShehniYailagh and Ramezani, and adapted to Iranian students’ Culture.. Before starting the retraining, two groups were tested in pre-tests of optimism, pessimism and then, the experiment group was taught attribution retraining, and the control group nothing. At the end of the training course, two groups were tested in post-tests of optimism and pessimism. Results showed that attribution retraining (as independent variables), had a great effect on the dependent variables. The results showed that attribution retraining had increased the meaningful (p= 0/001) amount of optimism and it had decreased pessimism (p = 0/001) significantly. Attribution retraining with increased optimism and pessimism can prevent and reduce the mental and physical health.