The Effectiveness of Emotional-Social Competency Training on Emotional Control and Anxiety Sensitivity in University Students
Keywords:
Social-emotional competency, emotional control, anxiety sensitivity, emotional training, university studentsAbstract
Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of social-emotional competency training on emotional control and anxiety sensitivity in university students.
Methods and Materials: This randomized controlled trial was conducted using a pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up design. The statistical population consisted of university students in Tehran, from which 30 participants were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Instruments included the Difficulties in Emotional control Scale (DERS) and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). The experimental group received a 10-session intervention program, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27.
Findings: Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in emotion dysregulation and anxiety sensitivity scores in the experimental group at post-test and follow-up compared to pre-test (p < 0.01). The interaction effect between group and time was significant for both variables, with large effect sizes (η² > 0.60). Bonferroni tests also confirmed significant pairwise differences across assessment phases in the experimental group.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that social-emotional competency training significantly improves emotional control and reduces anxiety sensitivity among students, with effects sustained up to five months post-intervention.
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