The Impact of Reality Therapy Training on Family Communication Patterns and Alexithymia in Elementary School Students

The study of the factors affecting family communication patterns and alexithymia in children is of great importance because of their impact on children’s mental health. Hence, this research was undertaken to investigate the impact of reality therapy training on family communication patterns and alexithymia in male sixth graders. This quasi-experimental study had a pre-test, post-test control group design. The statistical population of the study was comprised of all male sixth graders in Tehran in 2018-19 school year. Due to the large size of the statistical population, in the first stage, cluster sampling method was utilized. In the second stage, 32 individuals were selected by random sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups. The subjects in the experimental group were trained in reality therapy for 8 one-hour sessions once a week. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (2006) and the Fitzpatrick and Ritchie Family Communication Patterns Questionnaire (1994) were used to collect data. Analysis of covariance was utilized to analyze the data. Results revealed that reality therapy training improved family communication patterns and reduced alexithymia (p <0.01). Therefore, using educational methods based on reality therapy is recommended to increase positive family communication patterns and reduce students' alexithymia.