Faridehsadat Hoseini

Abstract This study aimed to assess the effect of an emotional memory management programme on executive functions and difficulties in emotional regulation in adolescents. A semi-experimental (pretest–post-test design with a control group) research design was used in this study. The population of this study consisted of all adolescent boys in Bushehr, southern Iran, who were studying during 2015. Initially, the eighth grade was randomly selected using the availability sampling method and considering the sample homogeneity principle. Two classes were then randomly allocated to experimental (n = 17) and control (n = 17) groups. Data were collected using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Stroop test, the Wisconsin card sorting test and the continuous performance test. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used for data analysis. The results showed that our preliminary study was influential on the different domains of difficulties in emotional regulation (impulse control difficulties, nonacceptance of emotional responses and lack of emotional clarity), cognitive flexibility, cognitive inhibition and cognitive impulsivity. This preliminary study showed reduced difficulty in emotional regulation and improved adolescents' cognitive flexibility, inhibition and impulsivit