Effectiveness of Group Intervention Based on Positive Therapy on Dysfunctional Attitudes and Happiness in Adolescent Girls

Positive interventions which focus on positive aspects and strengths of people are kinds of relatively new interventions in psychology. This research has been conducted in order to investigate how effective the positive intervention is in decreasing dysfunctional attitudes and in increasing level of happiness in adolescent girls. Using available sampling method, 31 girls were selected and randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Trainings based on positive therapy were given to the experimental group during eleven weekly sessions of two-hour duration each. During this period, control group was given no training at all. Dysfunctional attitudes were measured by using Weissman scale of Dysfunctional Attitude and the rate of happiness was measured by using Oxford Happiness Inventory, and both were done before and after intervention, 4 and 9 months after the intervention ended. Repeated measures showed that in comparison with the control group, positive trainings significantly reduced dysfunctional attitudes, and increased rate of happiness. Based on these results, it can be claimed that positive intervention not only decreases dysfunctional attitudes, but also increases happiness. Therefore, this method can be used to reduce psychological problems which underlie psychological disorders. This intervention can also improve quality of life.