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Comparison of the Effectiveness of Lazarus Multimodal Therapy and Seligman’s Positive Psychology-Based Training (PERMA Model) in Reducing Learned Helplessness among Lower Secondary School Students
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Hamila Hadian   , Zahra Tanha * , Ameneh Shahverdi |
| Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Psychosocial Services, Khor. C., Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad, Iran & Department of Educational and Psychological Services, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran. , zahratanha_1364@iau.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (6 Views) |
Introduction: Learned helplessness is one of the factors contributing to reduced motivation and academic performance among students. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Lazarus’s multimodal therapy and Seligman’s positive psychology-based training in reducing learned helplessness among lower secondary school students.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up assessment. The statistical population consisted of female lower secondary school students in Khorramabad during the 2023–2024 academic year. Among them, 45 eligible students were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each. The two intervention groups received the respective interventions over eight 90-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 22.
Results: The findings indicated that both interventions significantly reduced learned helplessness compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The group effect in the analysis of covariance was significant (F(2, 41) = 127.85, P < 0.001, ηp² = 0.862). The effect of the pretest covariate was also significant (F(1, 41) = 28.35, P < 0.001, ηp² = 0.409). Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons showed that learned helplessness scores were significantly lower in both the Lazarus multimodal therapy and Seligman positive psychology-based training groups than in the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the Lazarus multimodal therapy group demonstrated significantly lower learned helplessness scores than the Seligman intervention group (P < 0.001). Repeated-measures analysis also revealed significant main effects of time and a significant time × group interaction, indicating different patterns of change in learned helplessness across the three groups over time. The effects of both interventions were maintained at the two-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Both approaches were effective in reducing learned helplessness; however, Lazarus’s multimodal therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness and may be implemented in school counseling centers.
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| Keywords: Lazarus Multimodal Therapy, Learned Helplessness, Positive Psychology, PERMA Model, Adolescents |
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Full-Text [PDF 1007 kb]
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Type of Study: case report |
Subject:
General
Received: 2026/07/19 | Accepted: 2026/10/19 | Published: 2026/11/1
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