Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

Investigating The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training Using Gross's Method on Distress Tolerance and Alexithymia of Female Dormitory Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Raeisshahraki 1
Mohammad Shakarami 2
1 MSc. Student, Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
10.48308/apsy.2025.237559.1724
Abstract
Aim: Living in a dormitory away from family presents students with various emotional and behavioral challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of emotion regulation training on distress tolerance and alexithymia among female dormitory students.
 
Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of all female dormitory students aged 20 to 30 residing at the Islamic Azad University of Isfahan during the 2023–2024 academic year. From those who met the inclusion criteria, 40 participants were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group (20 participants in each). The experimental group underwent eight 90-minute sessions of emotion regulation training, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Both groups were assessed at the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages using the Distress Tolerance Scale developed by Simons and Gaher and the Alexithymia Scale created by Bagby et al.
 
Results: Data analysis conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups across both study variables. Specifically, emotion regulation training resulted in a 17% increase in distress tolerance within the experimental group (F = 7.77, p < 0.01) and a 13% reduction in alexithymia (F = 5.79, p < 0.05).
 
Conclusion: By equipping students with emotion regulation skills, their capacity to navigate the emotional challenges of dormitory life can be enhanced.
 
Keywords
Alexithymia
Distress Tolerance
Emotion Regulation Training
Female Dormitory Students
Subjects
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