کیوان صالحی

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the phenomenon of divorce from the perspective of expert family therapists. Method: The research method was qualitative, based on grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014). The research setting included all family therapists in the city of Isfahan in the year 2024, and the participants consisted of ten of the most prominent therapists who were purposefully selected. The research tool was interviews conducted in the form of focus groups. The collected data were analyzed using Charmaz’s (2014) method: first, coding was carried out, followed by conceptualization. Then, during the process of integration, categories were extracted, and finally, the core categories were identified and the theory was formed. Results: The results indicated that the phenomenon of divorce includes three main categories: (1) the reasons behind the occurrence of divorce: the activators of divorce causes, with categories such as changes in cultural and social structures and the prioritization of individuality over couplehood; (2) the nature of divorce causes: causes of divorce categorized as changes in family roles and authority, poor spouse selection, inappropriate communication, and individual problems; and (3) the process through which the causes interconnect: integrators of divorce causes (disturbance-power, disturbance-intimacy, and boundary disturbances). Conclusion: Based on the findings, this study suggests that in order to reduce divorce, the activators of divorce cannot be ignored, as they render society more prone to facilitating the grounds for divorce rather than preserving family stability. Additionally, the identified causes of divorce indicate that many revolve around the philosophy of individualism. Therefore, society and societal discourse must reinforce the value of collectivism so that this value can function as a socio-psychological superstructure acting as a barrier to divorce.

Objective: This study employed an aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SST in enhancing the mental health of couples. Methods: In the quantitative section of this explanatory mixed-method design, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was utilized. The Mental Health Inventory-28 (MHI-28) by Basharat (2009) was employed to assess couples' mental health before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS22 software, and the findings indicated that SST significantly improved couples' mental health. In the qualitative section, semi-structured interviews were conducted with couples to examine their experiences with this type of therapy through descriptive phenomenology. Findings: According to the eta coefficient, SST accounted for 34% of the variance in the psychological well-being subscale and 17% in the psychological distress subscale, indicating large and medium effect sizes, respectively. The qualitative findings supported the quantitative results, highlighting positive changes such as improved emotional state, increased interest in life, a sense of calmness, feeling loved, hope for the future, and reduced stress and distress one month after the session. These changes aligned with the subscales and questions of the mental health questionnaire, serving as confirmation of the quantitative outcomes. Conclusion: Ultimately, this study emphasizes the importance of SST as an effective therapeutic tool for couples. The findings may be valuable for therapists and future researchers while encouraging clients to seek therapy.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the educational damages faced by children of divorce. Divorce is a significant life event that imposes stress on the entire family, especially on children. Methods: This study employed a systematic review of existing literature to identify key educational damages faced by children of divorce. A total of 3,296 articles were initially retrieved from databases, and through a rigorous selection process based on relevance, 27 studies were chosen for in-depth analysis. The indicators were categorized into 9 criteria using a coding framework, with each indicator representing a unique educational challenge or damage. Findings: The review identified 72 educational indicators categorized into key themes such as academic decline, dropout rates, concentration and attention issues, cognitive development impairments, and reduced resources for education. The most frequent issues were poor academic performance, lack of concentration, and dropout rates. Children from divorced families exhibited significantly more challenges in school performance, motivation for achievement, and learning compared to those from intact families. The absence of a stable emotional and financial environment exacerbated these issues, further contributing to academic setbacks. Conclusion: The findings highlight the severe impact of parental divorce on children's educational performance and mental well-being. Academic decline, lack of concentration, and emotional maladjustment are common issues, often leading to school dropout. Effective interventions, including parental education and structured support programs, are crucial to reducing the educational damages faced by children of divorce. Schools and counselors must be trained to address these challenges and work collaboratively with parents to create a supportive learning environment.