The Effectiveness of Reality Therapy on Identity Crisis and Mental Well-being of Child Laborers

Abstract

Purpose: Child labor is a significant issue that negatively impacts the mental well-being and identity development of affected children. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of reality therapy in addressing identity crisis and improving the mental well-being of child laborers in Shiraz. The objective was to determine whether reality therapy could reduce identity crisis and enhance emotional, psychological, and social well-being among these children.

Methodology: The study employed a descriptive, semi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test method. The sample consisted of 30 child laborers aged 10 to 14 years, selected from Shiraz in 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) receiving reality therapy or a control group (n=15) receiving no treatment. Reality therapy was administered in 12 sessions based on Glasser’s model. Data were collected using the Identity Crisis Questionnaire and the Mental Well-being Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used for data analysis.

Findings: The experimental group showed significant reductions in identity crisis scores and substantial improvements in emotional, psychological, and social well-being compared to the control group. The results indicated that reality therapy had a meaningful positive impact on all measured variables, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing the mental health of child laborers.

Conclusion: Reality therapy is an effective intervention for reducing identity crisis and improving the mental well-being of child laborers. The therapy’s emphasis on personal responsibility, present-focused problem-solving, and fulfilling basic psychological needs makes it a valuable tool for mental health practitioners working with this vulnerable population. Integrating mental health services with broader child labor reduction initiatives is crucial for providing comprehensive support to child laborers.