The effectiveness of rational-emotional behavior therapy (REBT) on behavioral activation / inhibition systems (BAS / BIS), high-risk sexual behaviors and experimental avoidance in adolescents with a history of running away from home

The main purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of rational-emotional behavior therapy (REBT) on behavioral activation/inhibition systems (BAS / BIS), high-risk sexual behaviors, and experimental avoidance in adolescents with a history of running away from home. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design with the control group. The statistical population of the study included adolescents referring to transient harm reduction centers and night shelters for men and women in the Shush-Harandi area of Tehran in the first 6 months of 1400. Using the available sampling method, 30 people were selected and randomly selected. The experimental and control groups (15 people in each group) were assigned. The scale measuring tools were Inhibition / Behavioral Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) (Carver and White, 1994), the High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Questionnaire (RSBQ) (Zarei et al., 2010), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ- II) (Band et al., 2011). Behavior therapy with REBT approach on behavioral activation/inhibition systems, high-risk sexual behaviors, and experimental avoidance was performed on the experimental group for 8 sessions of 90 minutes. The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that group counseling with the REBT approach had an effect on reducing the symptoms of behavioral activation/inhibition systems, high-risk sexual behaviors, and experimental avoidance (P<0/05). Due to the effectiveness of rational-emotional behavior therapy on the symptoms of behavioral activation/inhibition systems, high-risk sexual behaviors, and experimental avoidance, it is recommended to conduct training workshops based on these concepts in harm reduction centers.