Effectiveness of cognitive restructuring on reducing learned helplessness in educable students with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of training based on cognitive restructuring in reducing learned helplessness among educable students with intellectual disability in Qaen, Iran. Method: This applied research adopted a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest-follow-up design and randomly recruited 60 students. The students were randomly allocated to the case and control groups. At baseline, both groups completed the Learned Helplessness Questionnaire. The case group then received nine sessions of training based on cognitive restructuring. Results: The questionnaire was read ministered immediately and one month after the intervention (posttest and follow-up). The data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS 19. There was a significant difference between the case and control groups after covariate adjustment (P < 0.001). In fact, training based on cognitive restructuring explained 4.22 and 9.17 the variance in the case group’s posttest and follow-up scores of learned helplessness, respectively. Conclusion: Since our confirmed the effectiveness of training based on cognitive restructuring in decreasing the levels of learned helplessness in students with intellectual disability, similar training programs should be used to improve the attitudes of educable children with intellectual disability towards problems and failures. © 2018, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.