Mehdi Manouchehri, Fatemeh Khoramian, Mahtab Norouzi, Roghaye Gharabaghi Sarmad, Soroor Arabpour Khanmirzaei, Mina Fakouri Ashkiki,
Volume 34, Issue 3 (Fall 2024)
Abstract
Background: Life skills are a set of abilities designed by the World Health Organization to promote the quality of life and recommend it to all members of society. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the effective components of the life skills course.
Materials and methods: The present research was a qualitative and of the phenomenology model. Using purposive based sampling method, 20 participants of life skills course were selected who met the studying criteria including the maximum absence of 2 sessions in a 10-session course, age over 18 years, and personal consent to participate in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured and individual open-ended interviews until data saturation was achieved. The recorded interviews were then handwritten and analyzed.
Results: Qualitative analysis of the interviews led to the extraction of five themes: “cognitive and emotional self-awareness,” “group dynamics,” “content capability in conceptualization and operation of structures and processes,” “gaining insight and unconscious change,” and “self-compassion formation.
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, life skills training in a participatory and active method based on a coherent protocol in a context of intimacy, empathy and non-judgmental group atmosphere, leads to increased self-awareness and motivation and belief in the change in individuals. This underscores the need to focus on psychological education in a participatory and active manner.
