The Effectiveness of a Dialectical Behavioral Program to Improve Psychological and Social Adaptation among a Sample of Obese Patients

Abstract

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a dialectical behavioral program to improve psychological and social adaptation in a sample of obese patients. The sample consisted of (30) female students suffering from obesity, who were divided into a control group (15) female students and an experimental group (15) female students. The study used the quasi experimental approach through the psychological and social adaptation scale, after verifying its validity and stability. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences at the significance level (α≤0.05) between average scores of experimental group and control group on the pre- and post-psychological and social adaptation scale attributed to the teaching method of the dialectical and behavior program. As well as the absence of the statistically significant differences at the significance level (α≤0.05) between the average scores of the experimental group on the psychological and social adaptation scale in the dependent measurement. In light of the result of the study, recommendations were made, including: the necessity of the school to play its educational role in improving the psychological and social adaptation of female students suffering from obesity by holding seminars and workshops that educates them about the dangers of obesity on the psychological and social level, the necessity of providing decisions-makers in Ministry of Health with the result of the experimental studies based on behavioral therapy for diseases to adopt this type of treatment in health context.