Design
In this study a 3x2 (treatment sequence by repeated measures) design was applied. The independent variable was the treatment involving two experimental group-counselling group and guidance group- and one control group as a waiting-list. The dependent variables of the study were ways of coping with stress, irrational beliefs, and optimism, each of which being assessed by self-report scales. These scales were given as pre- and post-test. The pre-tests were conducted one week prior and the post-test one week after the treatment period.
Those in the waiting-list control group participated in the pre-test assessment. Then, they were informed that they had been placed on a waiting list and that the treatment would begin in about eleven weeks. No contact was made with these participants until the post-test session which took place ten weeks later.
All sessions for both group were led by the researcher, who held a PhD degree in counselling psychology, along with a co-leader who held an MA in social work. The group leader had the primary role in managing both groups. The co-leader’s role included asking guiding questions during the implementation of disputational techniques, arranging activities and sharing with the leader her observations of the group dynamics. This two-person team reviewed group dynamics both before and after each session and provided feedback to each other. Sessions for the counselling group were conducted in the Counselling and Guidance Centre at Anadolu University and for the guidance group in a seminar room away from the Centre.