The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Training on Perceived Stress, Emotional Regulation, Mental Toughness, and Intention to Physical Activity among Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master's student in clinical psychology, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood Branch, Shahrood, Iran.

2 Master of Sports Management, Payam Noor University, Garmsar Center, Garmsar, Iran.

3 Department of Physical Education, Marand branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran.

4 MS in Motor Behavior, Shiraz. Iran.

5 Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University , Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of cognitive-behavioral training on perceived stress, emotional regulation, mental resilience, and motivation for sports participation among adolescent students.

Methods: The research population consisted of all male high school students in Tehran, aged between 16 and 18 years. A total of 30 students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral training for eight weekly sessions, each lasting 120 minutes. Standardized questionnaires were utilized to measure the research variables, and data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance.

Results: The findings indicated that cognitive-behavioral training significantly improved perceived stress (η² = 0.66, p < 0.001, F(24, 1) = 47.5), emotional regulation (η² = 0.22, p = 0.015, F(24, 1) = 6.79), mental resilience (η² = 0.51, p < 0.001, F(24, 1) = 24.9), and willingness to engage in physical activity (η² = 0.41, p < 0.001, F(24, 1) = 17.01) among adolescent students.

Conclusion: It is recommended that physical education teachers incorporate this type of training as a complementary approach in physical education classes to enhance the psychological and physical well-being of students, particularly those in high school.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Sports Psychology
Volume 17, Issue 1
2025
Pages 26-46

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 July 2020
  • Revise Date: 21 April 2023
  • Accept Date: 11 May 2023

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