Effectiveness and Comparison of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Sensory Integration Therapy on Decision-Making Styles and Social Skills of Children with Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness and compare Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) on decision-making styles and social skills in children with Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT). Methodology: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The sample consisted of 15 children aged 11 to 14 from District 2 of Qom Province in 2022, diagnosed with SCT. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: REBT (n=5), SIT (n=5), and control (n=5). The study utilized the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale by Penny et al. (2009), the Decision-Making Styles Questionnaire by Scott and Bruce (1995), and the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (1986). The interventions comprised 9 sessions of REBT and 12 sessions of SIT. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis with SPSS 24. Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in rational decision-making (F(2, 12) = 13.05, p = .002, η² = .72), spontaneous decision-making (F(2, 12) = 15.01, p = .001, η² = .75), avoidant decision-making (F(2, 12) = 11.12, p = .003, η² = .69), and social skills (F(2, 12) = 24.36, p = .000, η² = .83) in the REBT and SIT groups compared to the control group. Post hoc tests revealed that REBT was more effective than SIT in reducing spontaneous and avoidant decision-making styles and enhancing social skills. Conclusion: Both REBT and SIT are effective in improving rational decision-making and social skills in children with SCT. However, REBT is more effective than SIT in reducing spontaneous and avoidant decision-making styles and increasing social skills.