A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Training on Identity Styles of Adolescents Aged 13 to 14
Keywords:
Strengthening Family Foundation Program (SEP), cognitive training, mindfulness, identity styleAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) and mindfulness-based cognitive education on identity styles among adolescents aged 13–14.
Methods and Materials: A semi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up was employed, including a control group. Participants (N = 45) were purposefully sampled from middle schools in Birjand and randomly assigned to three groups: SFP, mindfulness-based education, and control (15 per group). Interventions consisted of eight weekly 2-hour sessions. The Identity Style Questionnaire was administered at three time points. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for analysis.
Findings: Significant differences were observed across all identity styles among the three groups (p < .001). The time × group interaction effect was statistically significant across normative, informational, commitment, and avoidant styles. SFP showed greater impact on normative identity style, while mindfulness-based training more effectively reduced avoidant identity tendencies. Effects were sustained at follow-up with minor regressions.
Conclusion: Both interventions improved adolescent identity formation, but the family-based program demonstrated a stronger influence on normative identity, likely due to its alignment with cultural values and emphasis on family dynamics. In contrast, mindfulness training primarily enhanced internal self-regulation and was more effective for addressing identity confusion and avoidance.
Downloads
References
Babaei Heydar Abadi, M., Lotfi, P., Baravaz Koucheh Ghal, Z., Saheb Zamani, P., & Akbari, M. (2022). Comparing the effectiveness of family-based therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on the self-concept of female students with anorexia nervosa. Family Research, 18(4), 777-792. https://jfr.sbu.ac.ir/article/view/article_103181.html
Basharpour, S., & Ahmadi, S. (2021). A structural model of the relationships among executive function skills, ego resilience, and moral identity in predicting self-efficacy for substance-dependent individuals: The mediating role of mindfulness. Military Care Sciences, 8(2), 169-182. https://doi.org/10.52547/mcs.8.2.169
Berzonsky, M. D., & Kuk, L. (2022). Identity styles and college adaptation: The mediational roles of commitment, self-agency, and self-regulation. Identity, 22(4), 310-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2021.1979552
Bornheimer, L. A., Acri, M., Li Verdugo, J., & McKay, M. M. (2021). Family processes and mental health among children and caregivers in a family strengthening program. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30, 2903-2912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02035-w
Brown, K. W., Berry, D., Eichel, K., Beloborodova, P., Rahrig, H., & Britton, W. B. (2022). Comparing impacts of meditation training in focused attention, open monitoring, and mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy on emotion reactivity and regulation: Neural and subjective evidence from a dismantling study. Psychophysiology, 59(7), e14024. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14024
Fattahi Vaseq, M. B. (2021). Investigating the role of the four temperaments in psychological well-being with the mediation of mindfulness Master's thesis in General Psychology]. University of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University.
Gomes, L. R. S., Souza, M. T. d., Souza, M. P. d., Dias, M. C., & Pessalacia, J. D. R. (2024). Experiences of families of adolescents in a bond-strengthening program. Contribuciones a Las Ciencias Sociales, 17(5), e6971. https://doi.org/10.55905/revconv.17n.5-203
Gu, S., Jiang, Y., Liu, M., Li, Y., Liang, Y., Feng, R., & Huang, J. H. (2023). Eye movements and ERP biomarkers for face processing problems in avoidant attachment-style individuals. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 17, 1135909. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1135909
Gurba, E., Czyżowska, D., Topolewska-Siedzik, E., & Cieciuch, J. (2022). The importance of identity style for the level of religiosity in different developmental periods. Religions, 13(2), 157. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020157
Hashemi Sanjani, F., Dartaj, F., Farokhi, N. A., & Nasrollahi, B. (2020). The effectiveness of mindfulness training on the components of academic optimism in students (social trust, academic emphasis, and sense of identity). Social Psychology, 7(53), 101-108. https://journals.iau.ir/article_671409.html
Heydari Paybandi, J. (2021). The role of patience in strengthening the family foundation in religious teachings Master's thesis, Nahj al-Balagha, with a focus on the principles of faith and Islamic teachings]. Payame Noor University, Karaj.
Jimoh, G. O., Eni-Olorunda, J. T., Adubi, K. O., & Afolabi, W. A. (2021). Influence of parental attachment on adolescent identity styles development. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(2), 20-45. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/RHSS/article/view/55494
Keshavarz, M., Mirzaei, S., & Mohammadzani, I. (2018). Maturity and identity crisis in adolescence and its role in friendship. National Conference on the Identity of Children in Islamic Iran during the Preschool Period, https://sid.ir/paper/898750/fa
Lebares, C. C., Guvva, E. V., Olaru, M., Sugrue, L. P., Staffaroni, A. M., Delucchi, K. L., & Harris, H. W. (2019). Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive training in surgery: Additional analysis of the mindful surgeon pilot randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 2(5), e194108. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4108
Mohammadi Pour, R. (2023). Mindfulness training for adolescents with internet addiction and identity crisis in Qom County
Mohammadi, S., Bijani Mirza, T., & Hatami, M. (2018). The role of family, school, and media in preventing crime with an emphasis on international standards governing state commitments in educating individuals. Scientific Research Quarterly of Teaching Research, 6(4), 223-254. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/454284/
Mohebi, M. D., Ayubi, E., Azmoodeh, A., & Sargolzaie, N. (2018). The relationship between identity styles and addiction vulnerability: A cross-sectional study among medical students in Zahedan, South Eastern Iran. Psychiatry research, 268, 184-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.07.014
Morati, A., Ghadampour, E., & Hasani, V. (2021). Modeling the connection to school based on identity styles and family climate with the mediating role of self-compassion. Family and Research Journal, 18(4), 49-68. https://qjfr.ir/browse.php?a_id=1626&sid=1&slc_lang=en
Parvizi, M. (2022). Predicting identity styles based on attachment styles and religious orientation in students Master's thesis for obtaining a degree in General Psychology]. Takestan Non-Profit Higher Education Institute.
Pinck, A. S., & Sonnentag, S. (2018). Leader Mindfulness and Employee Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Transformational Leadership. Mindfulness, 9(3), 884-896. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0828-5
Safari, M., Dokht Rezakhani, S., & Dokanai Fard, F. (2020). Explaining the relationships between mindfulness and self-compassion with social competence in female students based on the mediating role of interpersonal forgiveness. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 11(4), 381-396. https://japr.ut.ac.ir/article_79847.html
Segrott, J., Gillespie, D., Lau, M., Holliday, J., Murphy, S., Foxcroft, D., Hood, K., Scourfield, J., Phillips, C., Roberts, Z., Rothwell, H., Hurlow, C., & Moore, L. (2022). Effectiveness of the Strengthening Families Programme in the UK at preventing substance misuse in 10-14 year-olds: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMJ open, 12(2), e049647. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049647
Sharki, H., Ali, S., & Rasoulzadeh Tabatabai, S. K. (2021). The role of personality traits and family developmental performance in predicting the mental health of students with a history of disciplinary violations. Journal of Education and Learning Studies, 13(1), 122-140. https://jsli.shirazu.ac.ir/article_6316.html
Shojaei, M., Amani, F., Moradi, M., & Ramazani, R. (2023). Examining the role of family in shaping identity and socialization of children. Fourteenth International Conference on Management and Humanities Research in Iran, https://civilica.com/doc/1894821/
Shtiwi, W. F. (2023). Emotional regulation as a predictor of psychological identity styles among adolescents. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 11(6), 1566-1581. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.3816
Soleimani, M., Ghadampour, E., & Abbasi, M. (2024). A causal model of successful academic identity based on family emotional climate: The role of mindfulness as a mediating variable. Family and Research Journal, 21(3), 161-178. https://qjfr.ir/article-1-2207-fa.html
Yousefi Limayi, F. (2019). A causal model explaining the relationship between parenting styles and adolescent impulsivity: Evaluating the mediating role of identity styles Master's thesis in Psychology]. Islamic Azad University, Faculty of Humanities, Quds.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 سیده سمیه رمضانی (نویسنده); سمانه السادات جعفر طباطبایی; تکتم السادات جعفر طباطبایی, فاطمه شهابی زاده (نویسنده)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
