Thought Control of Preparatory School Students

Abstract

The current research aims to identify the thought control strategies and differences in thought control strategies of the research sample according to gender and specialization. To achieve the objectives of the research, the researcher adopted the Al-Bugherbi (2021) scale based on the theory of Wells and Davis (1994) for thought control strategies, which consist of five domains (punishment, distraction, anxiety, re-evaluation, and social control) that were developed by Al-Bugherbi (2021) through adding two domains (successful repression and self-direction). The number of items on the scale consisted of 31 items with five alternatives. The results of the research showed the research sample uses strategies (distraction, successful suppression, self-direction, re-evaluation, punishment, and social control), respectively, while they do not use the strategy of focusing anxiety around the idea when controlling thought. Females use the punishment strategy, the anxiety strategy, and the re-evaluation strategy more than males. The sixth-grade preparatory students use the anxiety strategy more than the fourth-grade preparatory students. In light of the researcher's findings, the researcher recommends emphasizing the need to pay attention to preparatory school students and give them opportunities to express their thoughts and opinions and develop their abilities to enhance their ability to control their thoughts correctly and solve their problems. It is necessary to form seminars, workshops, and training courses in schools to develop thought control by developing the use of appropriate strategies.