Analysis of the Effect of Training Life Skills on Defensive Mechanisms and Styles of Students' Attachments

Abstract

One of the main aspects of human characteristics is his attachments styles in human relations and other aspects, which are regarded as defensive methods of the self-base of one's characteristic. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of training life skills on the improvement of attachment styles and defensive mechanisms of students. This research is conducted using quasi-experimental method which is in form of pretest – posttest with control group. The statistical population consists of all female students of PNU University of Varamin Pishva. The sampling method is snowball sampling and its sample population included 50 female students ranging from 20 to 30 years old who earned the lowest score in the questionnaire of defensive mechanisms and Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) and were divided into two control and experimental groups of 25 members. Members of experimental group attended in 8 sessions of a 2-hours training program. After training them, again the questionnaire was administered for two groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software and covariance test. The results indicated that the program of training life skills has significantly improved the neurotic defensive mechanisms (P=0.001) and avoidance attachment style (P=0.04) of the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-test stage. But, this training has not significantly changed the mature defensive mechanisms (P=0.20) and the immature defensive mechanism (P=0.74) and also the secure attachment style (P=0.20) and ambivalent attachment style (10/0 = P) in the experimental group compared to the control. This study showed that the life skill training can be applied as a useful interference method for students.