Maher Institute Inc Iranian Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 3115-848X 4 2025 06 30 Social-Emotional Training for Aggressive Adolescents: Impacts on Attachment Styles, Social Desirability, and Emotional Regulation Social-Emotional Training for Aggressive Adolescents: Impacts on Attachment Styles, Social Desirability, and Emotional Regulation 1 10 EN Journal Article 2025 03 05 <p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a structured social-emotional training program in improving attachment styles, reducing social desirability tendencies, and enhancing emotional regulation in aggressive adolescents.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 adolescents (aged 13–17) in Nigeria who exhibited elevated aggression levels. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 15) that received an eight-session social-emotional training intervention or a control group (n = 15) that received no intervention. The sessions integrated elements of attachment theory, emotional self-regulation, and social skills training. Data were collected at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up using standardized measures for secure, anxious, and avoidant attachment styles, social desirability, and emotional regulation. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS-27.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Statistically significant time × group interaction effects were found for all dependent variables (p &lt; .001). The experimental group showed significant increases in secure attachment (F = 31.46, η² = .529) and emotional regulation (F = 32.07, η² = .540), and significant decreases in anxious attachment (F = 27.88, η² = .510), avoidant attachment (F = 29.33, η² = .515), and social desirability (F = 24.99, η² = .473). Post-hoc analyses confirmed significant changes from pre-test to post-test and follow-up in the experimental group for all outcomes, with no significant differences between post-test and follow-up, indicating sustained effects.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results demonstrate that targeted social-emotional training is an effective intervention for reducing maladaptive attachment patterns and social desirability behaviors while enhancing emotional regulation in aggressive adolescents. These findings support the integration of SEL-based programs into adolescent behavioral health services.</p> https://www.maherpub.com/index.php/jndd/article/download/543/431