Designing an Educational Package for Self-Awareness of Personal Strengths and Self-Acceptance Based on Choice Theory
Keywords:
Self-awareness, Personal strengths, Self-acceptance, Choice theory, Educational packageAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to design and validate an educational package based on Choice Theory to enhance adolescents’ self-awareness of personal strengths and self-acceptance.
Methods and Materials: This applied study adopted a qualitative research approach. In the first phase, template thematic analysis was employed to systematically review and analyze relevant scholarly literature on self-awareness, personal strengths, self-acceptance, and Choice Theory using purposive sampling. Based on the extracted themes, a preliminary educational package consisting of eight one-hour sessions was developed. The package was pilot-implemented and revised accordingly. Content validity was then assessed through expert judgment using qualitative feedback and quantitative content validity indices, along with an evaluation of external validity.
Findings: The results indicated that the extracted components demonstrated strong conceptual coherence and alignment with the theoretical foundations of Choice Theory. Expert evaluations confirmed acceptable content validity, significant external validity, and practical feasibility of the package in real educational settings. The session structure and instructional content were judged to adequately address the intended educational objectives.
Conclusion: The developed educational package represents a valid and practical intervention for promoting self-awareness and self-acceptance among adolescents and can be effectively implemented in educational contexts.
Downloads
References
Abdollahpour, M. A. (2024). Psychometric Properties of the Short Character Strength Measure (SCSM) among Iranian Teachers. Sociology of Education, 10(1), 377-389. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijes.2023.2009240.1452
Dailey, S. F., & Roche, R. R. (2025). The SHIELD Framework: Advancing Strength-Based Resilience Strategies to Combat Bullying and Cyberbullying in Youth. International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010066
Ebrahimi, S., & Esmaeili, M. (2023). The Effectiveness of Character Strengths-based Intervention on the Psychological Well-being and Resilience among Adolescents. Educational and Scholastic studies, 11(4), 439-417. https://pma.cfu.ac.ir/article_2722_a3c35bd44e634af94b2808d529b61087.pdf
Fatin, A., Mhaidat, M., Abood, B. A. H., & Khaledah, A. (2024). The Impact of a Guidance Program Based on Choice Theory on Improving Life Quality and Self-Control for a Sample of Internet Addicts. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(5), 97-104. https://doi.org/10.53555/kuey.v30i5.2235
Fereydouni, H., Omidi, A., & Tamannaeifar, S. (2019). The effectiveness of choice theory education on happiness and self-esteem in university students. Journal of Practice in Clinical Psychology, 7(3), 207-214. https://doi.org/10.32598/jpcp.7.3.207
Firdaus, D., & Murtadho, A. (2025). Mental Strengthening in Humanistic Counseling Based on Hadith. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, IX(XVII), 506-516. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.917psy0046
Frederick, M., Lee, J. E., & Zarling, A. (2023). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Parent Caregivers: A Strength-Based Approach. Innovation in Aging, 7(Supplement_1), 370-371. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.1230
Ghadaki, M., & Darbani, S. A. (2024). The Effectiveness of Strength-Based Intervention on Attitude Toward Marital Infidelity and Sexual Self-Concept in Women With Marital Conflict. Aftj, 5(3), 84-91. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.5.3.9
Glasser, C. (2019). A Choice Theory Psychology Guide to Happiness: How to Make Yourself Happy (The Choice Theory in Action Series). Independently published. https://books.google.ch/books/about/A_Choice_Theory_Psychology_Guide_to_Happ.html?id=Vnr6xQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
Gu, J., Zhan, P., Liu, J., & Wang, J. L. (2024). Strength-based parenting and academic buoyancy: A short-term longitudinal chain mediation model. Current Psychology, 43, 6753-6760DO - 6710.1007/s12144-12023-04892-12148. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-023-04892-8
Hetti Sari Ramadhani, S. P. M. S. (2023). Does Family Functioning Matter More Than School Culture? Understanding Deeper Junior High School Student’s Character Strength With Spirituality as Mediator. Journal of Educational Health and Community Psychology, 12(3), 579. https://doi.org/10.12928/jehcp.v12i3.26908
Hosseini, M., Esmaeili, A., & Sahebi, A. (2017). Parent Training Based on the Choice Theory: Analysis of Its Impact on Mothers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy and Their Conflicts With Their Daughters. Razavi International Journal of Medicine, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.5812/rijm.13929
Infurna, F. J., Staben, O. E., Gardner, M. J., Grimm, K. J., & Luthar, S. S. (2023). The accumulation of adversity in midlife: Effects on depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and character strengths. Psychology and Aging, 38(3), 230. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000725
Jamshidi, G., Karimzadeh-Viyarsagh, S., Abdoli, E., Jalalvand, A., & Alborzpoor, R. (2024). A Comparative study of Self-Compassion, Character strength, and Psychological Capital between Working Women Heads of Households and Housewives: A comparative study between working women heads of households and housewives. International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture, 11(5), 591-603. https://doi.org/10.22122/ijbmc.v11i5.647
Johnson, M. I. (2025, 2025/04). Leading schools as complex systems: exploring a new strengths-based approach. Frontiers in Education, https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1538604
Malik, S., Srivastava, P., & Manglani, A. (2025). Character Strength and Psychological Hardiness: Role in Prediction of Psychological Well-Being Among Youth. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 14(4S), 330-336. https://doi.org/10.52783/jns.v14.1798
Mosbat Shahjouyi, H., & Hasanvand, K. (2024, January 18). The Impact of Life Skills Training on Increasing Self-Awareness and Emotion Management in Primary School Children. First International Conference on New Developments in Educational Sciences, Psychology, and Education, Urmia. https://civilica.com/doc/2286047/
Nerini, A., Di Gesto, C., Lo Bartolo, M., Innocenti, A., Stefanile, C., & Matera, C. (2024). Self-awareness and Social Influences as Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery for Social Reasons Among Men. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 48(5), 1016-1026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03565-y
Parsakia, K., Knechtle, B., Irandoust, K., & Taheri, M. (2024). Strength-Based Therapy: Empowering Athletes' Self-Efficacy and Life Satisfaction. Hn, 2(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.hn.2.2.1
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2023). Character strengths and workplace hope: Impacts on commitment and satisfaction. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 44IS - 2, 155-174. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2599
Samadian, M., Livarjani, S., & Panahali, A. (2019). The effectiveness of choice theory training on self-efficacy, goal orientation, and academic motivation in 9th-grade female students in Bonab. Educational Research Journal, 14(60), 79-100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-012-0357-8
Sharei, A., Kasaeei Esfahani, A., & Salmani, A. (2025). The Effect of Mindfulness Therapy on Emotion Regulation, Cognitive Self-Awareness, and Tendency to High-Risk Behaviors in Orphaned and Poorly Monitored Adolescents: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 23(9), 812-827. https://doi.org/10.61186/jrums.23.9.812
Sharifpour, A. (2024, July 21). The Effectiveness of Positive Thinking Skills Training on Students' Self-Awareness. Sixth National Conference on Professional Research in Psychology and Counseling from the Teacher's Perspective, Minab. https://civilica.com/doc/2080402/
Smith, A., Mangelsdorf, S. N., Baker, S., Jafari, S. J., Álvarez‐Jiménez, M., Hitchcock, C., & Cross, S. (2025). User Character Strengths Predict Engagement on a Digital Mental Health Platform for Young People (Preprint). https://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.73793
Soria-Reyes, L. M. (2023). Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Women With Breast Cancer: Zest and Hope as Predictors. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354231197648
Svavarsdottir, E. K., Flygerning, K. B., & Sigurdardottir, A. O. (2025). Contribution of the Brief Family Strength-Oriented Therapeutic Conversation Intervention to Early Childhood Sleep Health: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Family Nursing, 31(1), 45-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/10748407241313463
Tesfai, A., Captari, L. E., Meyer‐Weitz, A., & Cowden, R. G. (2023). Coping Resources Among Forced Migrants in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Character Strengths in Coping, Adjustment, and Flourishing. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010050
Villacís, J. L., Naval, C., & De la Fuente, J. (2023). Character strengths, moral motivation and vocational identity in adolescents and young adults: a scoping review. Current Psychology, 42(27), 23448-23463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03427-x
Yarian, M., & Khalilian, P. (2023, March 16). Comparing the Effectiveness of Choice Theory-Based Education and Schema Therapy on Self-Efficacy in Marriage and Willingness to Marry Among Girls in Isfahan City. Nineteenth International Conference on Research in Psychology, Counseling, and Educational Sciences, https://elmnet.ir/doc/21271527-11912
Yu, L., Zhou, X. H., Shek, D. T. L., & Wang, Y. (2025). Family Resilience and Adolescent Mental Health in Chinese Families: The Mediating Role of Personal Strengths. Applied Research in Quality of Life. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-025-10453-x
Zanjanchi Niko, S., & Farahani, A. (2024). Comparison of Ego Strength and Defense Mechanisms in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder and Healthy Individuals. Khomeini Shahr. https://civilica.com/doc/2010160/
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nahid Kazemi Najafabadi (Author); Afsaneh Bostan; Nooshin Pordelan (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
