Effectiveness of problem solving training on quality of life and social problem solving of under achieved gifted girls

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of problem solving training on quality of life and social problem solving of gifted girls with less success than expected. In this research, using a semi-experimental method, two groups of experimental and control were participated in 3 phases; pre, post and follow-up (after 2 months) test. The target population was the number of all second-grade high school students in Karaj City's gifted student schools in the academic year of 95-96. One high school for gifted children was randomly selected out of 4 schools. In the statistical population, from 192 students, 57 students with Raven scores above 125, and the teacher-made achievement test score below 50 were selected .30 of them who had lower scores in academic achievement were randomly assigned to two groups. To gather the data, social problem-solving inventory (SPSI-R) (D, Zurilla & et al 2002) and the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment (The World Health Organization, 1998) were used. The experimental group was regularly trained in problem solving skills during 8 sessions of 90 minutes of group counseling sessions, once in a week. In the inferential level Analysis of Covariance Test (ANCOVA) was used. Findings showed that the problem-solving education, significantly increased the quality of life and constructive social problem solving in the experimental group compared to before training and control group. The education, could not significantly decrease no adaptive social problem-solving in the experimental group. Group therapy was effective in the follow up session.