Recent Innovations in Psychology

Recent Innovations in Psychology

The Effectiveness of the Children of Divorce Intervention Program on Alexithymia and Dysfunctional Attitudes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 MSc. in Educational Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a specialized intervention program on alexithymia and dysfunctional thoughts among children of divorce. The research method was quasi-experimental, employing a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of children aged 8 to 12 years who had experienced parental divorce in Mashhad city in the year 1404 (2025–2026). The sample included 40 children selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (20 participants per group). The intervention comprised 12 group-based educational-supportive sessions of the Children of Divorce Intervention Program (CODIP). Data were collected using the Children's Alexithymia Scale (CAS) and the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS). The results indicated that the CODIP was effective in reducing alexithymia and dysfunctional thoughts among children in the experimental group compared to the control group, leading to a significant decrease in both variables (P < 0.01). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the CODIP, by focusing on emotional and cognitive skill training, serves as an effective tool for improving the psychological adjustment of children of divorce. It is recommended that this program be utilized as a standard intervention in counseling and psychological centers.
Keywords
Subjects


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 June 2026

  • Receive Date 23 April 2026
  • Revise Date 17 May 2026
  • Accept Date 27 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 02 June 2026