The Effectiveness of reality group therapy on irrational beliefs, psychological hardiness and academic achievement of brilliant talented students of secondary school

Abstract       Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of reality group therapy on irrational beliefs, psychological hardiness and academic achievement of brilliant talented students. Method: This study was a experimental, pre-test, post-test and control group with 6-month follow-up. The statistical population of the study consisted of brilliant talented students of secondary school in 2017. To conduct the research,40 brilliant talented students of secondary school sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental and control group. To assess the pre-test and before the intervention, students completed the Jones Irrational Beliefs (IBT) Questionnaire and Kobasa's (1990) Psychological Hardiness Scale, and were also recorded their grades. In the next stage, 8 sessions of reality group therapy were performed for the experimental group, but the control group did not receive any intervention. At the end of the intervention, the questionnaire was completed in the post-test and follow-up stages by the students. Data were analyzed through covariance analysis. Results: The results showed that reality group therapy was effective in reducing irrational beliefs, increasing the psychological hardiness and academic achievement of brilliant talented students of secondary school(P<%5). This work has remained steady during the six months follow up. Conclusion: Reality group therapy can be used as a suitable method for improving the psychological and educational status of brilliant talented students of secondary school.