IJHS 11 | International Journal of Health Studies 2020;6(2) IJHS 2020;6(2):11-14 ijhs.shmu.ac.ir doi:10.22100/ijhs.v6i2.736 Original Article International Journal of Health Studies A Study of Life Skill Components in Clients Referred to Health and Counseling Centers Alireza Abadi 1,2 , Parvin Yavari 1,2* , Atefeh Arshadi 2 , Shahrzad Nematolahi 3 , Mohammad Hossein Elyasi 4 1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2 Department of Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3 Men`s Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4 Department of Human Sciences, Imam Hossein Comprehensive University, Tehran, Iran Received: 8 February 2020 Accepted: 25 February 2020 Abstract Background: Life skills include a set of abilities to increase the power of adaptability and positive behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of ten life skill components and their related factors among individuals referring to veterans' health and counseling centers in the city of Tehran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among participants over the age of 20. The sample size was estimated based on the Morgan table and Cochran sampling formula. The present study utilized the shortened life skills scale including 10 subscales. Data were analyzed using statistical t-test, Pearson correlation, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The total mean of life skills was significantly higher among women (Pvalue=0.01). Age had a significant direct correlation with total life skills (r=0.19). There were significant differences between the three educational levels in 8 out of 10 components. The decision- making power had a significant correlation with "problem solving" and "creative thinking". "Critical thinking" had a high correlation with "effective communication", "coping with stress" and "attracting social support". "Coping with emotion" had a direct and high correlation with "coping with stress" and "self-awareness" but its correlation was reversed with "creative thinking". Conclusions: The mean score of life skills among clients of veteran`s health and counseling centers was slightly higher than the average population; while the rate of enjoyment of life skills was different in this subpopulation. The results implicate an urgent need to improve life skills, especially for highly educated people. Keywords: Life skills, Veterans, Cross-sectional study, Iran. * Corresponding to: P Yavari, Email: p.yavari-grc@sbmu.ac.ir Please cite this paper as: Abadi A, Yavari P, Arshadi A, Nematolahi S, Elyasi MH. A study of life skill components in clients referred to health and counseling centers. Int J Health Stud 2020;6(2):11-14. Introduction Despite changes in lifestyle, many people are still using their past inefficient and traditional education methods when faced with difficulties and problems. Learning ways to overcome anger and aggression would enable people to use such skills in other fields of their social life. A rational, healthy, purposeful and flexible lifestyle for dealing with challenges as a human goal can be achieved by gaining knowledge about life skills. These skills can affect an individual`s attitude, beliefs, and behavior. The concept of life skill was first introduced by the world health organization (WHO) in 1994. 1 Life skills include a set of abilities to increase the power of adaptability and positive behavior. As a result, people are able to behave responsibly and deal efficiently with life stress. 2,3 Unlike previous studies on life skills and general health that have covered some skills or parts of overall health; 1,4,5,6,7,8 the present research sought to investigate all the ten skills, namely decision-making, problem solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, effective communication, self-awareness, empathy, coping with emotion, coping with stress, and attracting social support. In the present study, individuals who were clients of veteran`s health services were selected as the source population. The existence of a specific profile of the studied population, who were either at risk of physical and psychological harm due to the experience of war or were exposed to psychological, social and even physical damage due to the loss of at least one first-degree family member or living with such people doubled the need for the present research. Lack of epidemiologic information on this subpopulation will hinder health planners for implementing empowerment programs for the target audience and they will be confronted with serious challenges and unnecessary costs. The present research was conducted with the aim to determine the distribution of ten life skills components and their associated factors among patients referring to veteran`s health and counseling centers (Bonyad-Shahid) in the city of Tehran. The present study has provided clear documentation for the appropriate use of empowerment methods to Bonyad-Shahid stakeholders for clients of health and counseling centers in Tehran. Materials and Methods The source population for the present cross-sectional study was defined as all people over the age of 20 referred to multiple health and counseling centers of Bonyad-Shahid in order to receive health and counseling services in Tehran during 2016. The final sample size was estimated at 600 subjects. The current study utilized the shortened life skills scale including 10 subscales. The questionnaire contained 62 questions measuring various domains of life skills including decision making (5 questions), critical thinking (6 questions), problem solving (4 questions), emotional management (9 questions), creative thinking (7 questions), social support (4 questions), effective communication (9 questions), stress management (5 questions), self-awareness (7 questions), and empathy (6 questions). The responses were presented on a 5-item Likert scale ranging from “never” to “always”. In the research, the content validity and reliability were measured using Cronbach's alpha test. The results indicated an overall high reliability (α=0.88); and high subscale reliability in all 10 subscales. The study questionnaire was administered to subjects who were randomly selected and contacted for a preplanned visit. At each stage of the recall, the purpose of the study was first described to the subjects; and volunteers who completed a consent form were included in the study. The collected data was analyzed using statistical t-test, Spearman and Pearson correlation tests, and the one-way analysis of variance.