The Impact of Life Skills Training on Distress Tolerance, Psychological Adaptation, and High-Risk Behaviors in Incarcerated Women

Roya Divanbeigi; Alireza Manzari Tavakoli; Hamdolah Manzari Tavakoli

doi:10.61838/kman.aftj.5.2.16

Authors

Roya Divanbeigi PhD student, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3137-5465
Alireza Manzari Tavakoli Professor, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8055-0341
Hamdolah Manzari Tavakoli Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8616-5743

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.5.2.16

Keywords:

Life skills training, distress tolerance, psychological adaptation, high-risk behaviors

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of life skills training on distress tolerance, psychological adaptation, and high-risk behaviors among incarcerated women.

Methods: This was an applied, experimental study. The study population consisted of incarcerated women in Kerman Central Prison in 2022. Sixty participants exhibiting high-risk behaviors were randomly assigned into an experimental group (30 women) and a control group (30 women). The experimental group received the World Health Organization's (WHO, 1998) ten-session life skills training program, each lasting 90 minutes, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Both groups were assessed using the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005), the Derogatis Psychological Adaptation Scale (1986), and the Rajaee and Shafiei High-Risk Behavior Questionnaire (2011) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance with SPSS software.

Findings: Results indicated that life skills training significantly impacted distress tolerance, psychological adaptation, and high-risk behaviors in incarcerated women (p < .01).

Conclusion: Life skills training can be effectively utilized to enhance distress tolerance and psychological adaptation, and to reduce high-risk behaviors.