Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of assertiveness skills training on improving empathy and life expectancy among female students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of 84 female students aged 16 to 21 years with intelligence quotients (IQ) between 50 and 70 attending special schools in Isfahan. Using convenience sampling, 30 individuals were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group received 11 sessions of assertiveness training, each lasting 40 minutes. The research instruments included questionnaires on empathy and life expectancy. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings: The results indicated that assertiveness training significantly increased scores of empathy (η² = 0.61) and life expectancy (η² = 0.61) in the experimental group compared to the control group (sig < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that assertiveness skills training can serve as an effective intervention to enhance empathy and life expectancy among students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is recommended that this program be implemented alongside other educational and psychological interventions to empower this population.
Aghajani S, Norouzi G, Ashori M. The Effectiveness of Assertiveness Skills Training on Empathy and Life Expectancy in Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. JOEC 2025; 25 (3) : 8 URL: http://joec.ir/article-1-2051-en.html
