The Effectiveness of Assertiveness Training on Alexithymia and Self-Differentiation in Runaway Girls in the City of Mashhad, Iran

Background: This study evaluates the effect of assertiveness training on alexithymia and self-differentiation in the city of Mashhad, in Iran, about runaway girls. Method: The sample consists of 24 girls (12-20 years old) The tools used in the study were: assertion questionnaire Rathus, self-differentiation scale of DSI and the Toronto alexithymia scale. The study is applied as a Quasi-experimental design with the unequal control group. The plan is similar to the control groups pretest and post-test. Results: Significance indexes Multivariate analysis (f=158.029, p<0.001) indicates that there are changes in alexithymia and self- differentiation with assertiveness training. The average assertion scores in the post-test had increased strongly (M=58.00). As well, the average self-differentiation score of the experimental group had a significant increase. The experimental group also had lower average scores of alexithymia. Conclusions: The results of the research showed that assertiveness training has a significant change in alexithymia and self-differentiation. It should be noted that the participants had run away from home due to various reasons relating to high levels of alexithymia and low levels of self-differentiation and assertiveness. During this training course, the girls with learning assertiveness made changes in the self-differentiation and alexithymia (M=196.00) (M=47).