J. Soc. Sci. Hum. Stud., 1(4)1-7, 2015 © 2015, TextRoad Publication ISSN 2356-8852 Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Studies www.textroad.com * Corresponding Author: Seyed- Jalal Younesi, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Tel: 009802122180061. Email: jyounesi@uswr.ac.ir The effectiveness of mental rehabilitation based on hope intervention on increasing hope of students with physical-motor disabilities Mehdi Sharifi 1 , Guita Movallali 2 , Seyed- Jalal Younesi * 3 , Mohammad Rostami 4 , Akbar Biglarian 5 1. MA, student of Rehabilitation counseling, University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2. Assistant Professor, Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran. Address: Daneshjoo Blvd., Evin, Tehran 3. Corresponding author : Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran, 4. Ph.D. Student of Rehabilitation counseling, University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran 5. Ph.D. Biostatistics, University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran ABSTRACT Focusing on the positive aspects of life in people with physical disabilities can play an important role in the physical, psychological health and well-being of these people. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mental rehabilitation program based on hope interventions on increasing hope in students with physical-motor disabilities. This study was performed with quasi-experimental method and a pretest and posttest with control group. Statistical population consisted of high school students with physical-motor disabilities in Tehran during the 2013-2014 academic years. Fifty two male and female students were selected through purposive sampling and were assigned randomly to an experimental group and a control groups. Hope interventions training were given to the experimental group during eight 1.5-hour sessions. The scores of the hope questionnaires before and after intervention were compared. The results of covariance analysis showed that hope intervention had a significant positive effect on increasing hope in the experimental group (p <.001). In addition, hope intervention had a significant positive effect on increasing the pathway and agency thinking subscales in both male and female students (p <.001). Hope intervention increases the hope scores. So, the approach taken in this study can be considered as an appropriate method for psychological-education interventions, counseling and in providing treatment to students with physical-motor disabilities. KEY WORDS: Hope intervention, hope, physical-motor disabilities 1. INTRODUCTION A person with physical-motor disabilities, means his or her mobility in upper and lower limbs or spine is limited due to permanent impairment caused by brain damage or mental retardation, illness, injury or deformity in the nervous system or muscles [1]. Physical disability in people is a part of the wide range of disabilities, referred to as a set of disabilities that cause an individual not be able to use his or her limbs or part of it, effectively for at least six months [2]. The number of people with disabilities has been increasing with each passing year. It is estimated that around the world, about 1 billion people are having disabilities and almost 200 million of them are experiencing serious problems [3] . The impact of disability on an individual’s psychosocial situation is undeniable because disability adds problems or limitations in terms of functionality. Disability has adverse psychological effects on individuals with disabilities [4]. Several studies have examined the mental and emotional effects of physical disabilities on the students; collectively these studies show that physical disabilities can cause low self-esteem [5], psychological distress [6], poor mental health [7], and depression [8]. People with physical disabilities receive negative messages from peers and assume themselves as less valuable and important than the others. Thus, disability not only limits performance but also affects a person's self-image negatively [9]. The level of frustration due to limitation in performing daily living activities or functional limitations in people with disabilities significantly increased resulting in lack of energy, decrease in physical activities or creating other health problems [10]. Focusing on the positive aspects of the lives of people with physical disabilities can play an important role in the physical health and psychological well-being of these people [8]. With the advent of positive psychology, theorists and researchers have investigated the structure, such as self-control, spirituality, optimism, joy, and hope 1