میلاد سبزه آرا لنگرودی

Objective : This research was conducted in two studies with the aim of investigating the mental health of adolescent girls who have relationships with opposite sex. Methods : The first study used a qualitative approach and a phenomenological method, and the second study used a quantitative approach and a causal-comparative method. In the first study, 12 adolescent girls aged 12 to 18 years old from Amlash city in 2025 who had a regular, daily, and at least one-year emotional relationship with the opposite sex were selected through purposive sampling and subjected to semi-structured interviews. In the second study, 30 adolescent girls who were in a romantic relationship with the opposite sex were selected and compared with 30 girls who were not in such a relationship. The research instruments in the second study were the Ryff Scale Psychological Wellbeing–Short Form (RSPWB-SF) and the Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Finding : The coding of the interviews in the first study revealed 3 main themes and 27 sub-themes. In the second study, the findings showed that girls who have an emotional relationship with a opposite sex partner experience a significantly lower level of mental health and psychological well-being than girls who do not have such a relationship (P < 0.05). Conclusion : According to the findings, it can be concluded that adolescent girls have their own concerns, fantasies, and worries about emotional relationships with an opposite sex partner, which requires the attention of families, schools, and culture-building in society to prevent psychological harm and reduce their mental health.

Objective : The present research, conducted in two complementary studies, aimed to explore the meaning of life and aspirations among the elderly. Methods : The first study adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach, and the second a quantitative descriptive-survey method. Participants were elderly residents of Rasht in 2024. In the qualitative phase, 10 individuals were selected purposefully based on theoretical data saturation and interviewed through semi-structured questions. In the quantitative phase, 100 participants were selected through convenience sampling and completed the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and Aspiration Index (AI). Data in the first study were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Findings : Three main themes emerged: safety, self-transcendence, and love and affection. Safety included subthemes of physical health, recreation and vitality, peace, and financial independence. Self-transcendence comprised satisfaction and personal growth, while love and affection included constructive interaction with others and wishing happiness for them. The quantitative results supported the qualitative findings, indicating that elderly individuals tend toward intrinsic aspirations such as maintaining health, spiritual connection, and social cooperation. No significant gender differences were found in meaning of life and aspirations (P > 0.05). Conclusion: As age increases, inner satisfaction, spirituality, and concern for others’ well-being become central to the meaning of life and aspirations in old age.