The Effectiveness of Guided Imagery in Reducing Parent-Child Conflicts

B. Talakoub, M.A.

M. Esmailee, Ph D

H. Salimi Bajestani, Ph D

This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of guided imagery in reducing parent-child conflicts among girl students in 2010-2011 academic year. The population of the study comprised eighth grade girls in district one of Tehran. The sample was selected through random cluster sampling. To achieve this goal, a guidance school and next a class within this school were randomly selected and the students were assigned to experimental (N=15) and control groups (N=15). Both groups took a pre-test using the conflict tactics scale (CTS). In the next step, the experimental group received training in guided imagery during seven sessions. A post-test was given to both experimental and control groups afterwards. The results of t-test showed that guided imagery could significantly reduce conflict as well as verbal and physical aggression among students and their parents. In addition, guided imagery significantly promoted subjects’ reasoning ability.

Key words: parent-child conflict, guided imagery