Development and Evaluation of a Solution-Focused Group Counseling Program for Enhancing Interpersonal Competence in Post-Pandemic Late Adolescents

Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a solution-focused group counseling program designed to enhance interpersonal competence among late adolescents who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was finalized in four stages: planning, design, pilot testing, and implementation. Methods: : Sixteen late-adolescent undergraduates were assigned to either the experimental or a control group. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0. Results: A significant reduction in maladaptive perfectionism and significant increase in interpersonal competence existed among participants in the experimental group. However, changes in interpersonal satisfaction were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The implications and limitations of the study are discussed, along with suggestions for university-based interventions to enhance interpersonal competence.