Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Emotional Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation Strategies in Adolescents from Single-Parent Families

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in improving emotional self-awareness and self-regulation strategies among adolescents from single-parent families.Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with an experimental group and a control group. The statistical population comprised adolescents from single-parent families who attended counseling centers in Tehran, Iran, during 2025. Using purposive non-random sampling, 30 eligible adolescents were selected and subsequently assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing emotional self-awareness and self-regulation strategies. Participants in the experimental group received eight 90-minute CBT sessions, whereas the control group received no psychological intervention during the study period. Following completion of the intervention, both groups completed the posttest measures. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical procedures to compare posttest scores while considering baseline differences between the two groups.Findings: Inferential analyses demonstrated that, after controlling for pretest scores, the experimental group obtained significantly higher posttest scores in emotional self-awareness than the control group. CBT also produced a statistically significant improvement in the participants’ self-regulation strategies. Accordingly, significant between-group differences were observed in both dependent variables at the posttest stage, with the experimental group showing more favorable outcomes. These findings indicate that the observed improvements were attributable to participation in the CBT intervention rather than to baseline differences or the mere passage of time.Conclusion: Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective psychological intervention for enhancing emotional self-awareness and self-regulation strategies in adolescents from single-parent families. By helping adolescents identify and modify dysfunctional thoughts, recognize emotional experiences, and employ more adaptive cognitive and behavioral regulation strategies, CBT may strengthen their capacity to manage emotional and developmental challenges. Therefore, this intervention can be incorporated into counseling and psychological support programs designed for adolescents living in single-parent households.