Effect of Aggression Replacement Training on Impulsivity and Positive and Negative Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Delinquent Adolescent boys

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Aggression Replacement Training on impulsivity and positive and negative cognitive emotion regulation in delinquent adolescent boys. For this purpose, quasi-experimental method with pre-test - post-test and follow-up was performed. Among the statistical population of all adolescent boys of correction and rehabilitation center in Tehran city 40 subjects were selected using convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Before the intervention, participants completed Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Then, the experimental group received 8 sessions of 90 to 120 minutes of training in the "Aggression Replacement Training Program" and the control group did not receive training. After completing the training sessions, as well as two months later, both groups completed the questionnaires again. The results of mixed variance analysis showed that in impulsive scores, positive cognitive strategies and negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies for delinquent adolescents, due to the main effect of time steps, the main effect of educational methods, and the interactive effect of time steps with educational methods, the significant difference is visible. According to the findings of the study, Aggression Replacement Training can be used for improving the behavior of adolescents and for preventing the occurrence of aggression and delinquent behaviors.