درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objective: The present study aimed to model the psychological distress of mothers with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) based on family cohesion and adaptation, with the mediation of perceived social support. Methods and Materials: This research, in terms of its goal, is applied, and in terms of data collection, is quantitative and correlational, employing structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all mothers with children diagnosed with ASD in Tehran in 2020, from which 354 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. To collect data, the following questionnaires were used: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2002), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (Olson & Gorall, 2003), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988). Results: The results of structural equation modeling indicated that the indirect pathways from family cohesion (β = -0.13, p < 0.01) and family adaptability (β = -0.12, p < 0.01) to the psychological distress of mothers of children with ASD, through perceived social support, were negative and significant. Conclusion: Perceived social support mediates the relationship between family cohesion and family adaptability with the psychological distress of mothers of children with ASD.

Objective: This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of therapist-assisted couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy on psychological well-being, negotiation enhancement, and aggression reduction in women victims of spousal violence. Methods: The study was applied, field-based, and quasi-experimental, employing a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The sample consisted of couples attending counseling and psychotherapy centers in Qom during the second half of 2021. Out of these, 45 couples were randomly assigned after entry criteria control into three groups: emotion-focused treatment group (15 couples), therapist-assisted treatment group (15 couples), and a control group (15 couples). The research tools included the Strauss et al. (1979) Conflict Tactics Scales and the Ryff (1989) Psychological Well-Being Scales, which were administered to the female victims in three phases: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The emotion-focused group received Johnson’s (2003) training package over nine sessions, and the therapist-assisted group received Aghayousefi et al.’s (2020) training package over eight sessions. The control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS software version 26. Findings: Results showed that both emotion-focused and therapist-assisted couple therapies significantly reduced aggression (F = 90.30, p < .001), increased negotiation (F = 64.47, p < .001), and enhanced psychological well-being (F = 103.81, p < .001) in the female victims of spousal violence, with these effects maintained at follow-up. However, the emotion-focused therapy package was more successful in improving psychological well-being, negotiation, and reducing aggression than the therapist-assisted therapy package. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both emotion-focused and therapist-assisted couple therapies are effective interventions for resolving conflicts and improving psychological well-being.

Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate marital burnout and to determine the effectiveness of a communication skills training protocol. Methods: The experimental method employed was a single-subject design with multiple baselines, involving couples seeking counseling at the Raz City Clinic in Shiraz and the Clinic of the General Directorate of Exceptional Education in Fars Province, during the autumn of 2021. Among these couples, three pairs exhibiting the highest levels of marital burnout were selected using a purposive sampling method. The therapeutic program of the communication skills training protocol was conducted by the researcher over 10 sessions, followed by a follow-up in two stages, one month apart. The participants responded to the Marital Burnout Scale at the baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up stages. Data were analyzed using visual analysis methods, the recovery percentage formula, and the reliable change index. Findings: Findings indicated that the communication skills training protocol enhanced marital quality and reduced marital burnout, with these effects being maintained during the follow-up phase. Conclusion: The treatment protocol proved to be effective, and couple therapists can utilize these communication skills in their work with couples to reduce marital burnout and enhance marital quality, particularly during the early years of marriage, where it can have a significant impact.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to predict marital satisfaction in married women based on cognitive emotion regulation strategies with the mediating role of resilience. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population included all married women experiencing marital conflict who visited clinics and counseling centers in District 5 of Tehran in 2021. From this population, 250 women were selected using a non-random, convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Sanaei Marital Conflict Questionnaire (1998), the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (1981), the Garnefski and Kraaij Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2006), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003). The data were analyzed using correlation tests and structural equation modeling. Findings: The results indicated a positive and significant relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and resilience with marital satisfaction (P < 0.01). The findings supported the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and marital satisfaction in married women experiencing marital conflict (P < 0.01). Additionally, the modified model showed a good fit. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that resilience and cognitive emotion regulation strategies play an important role in marital satisfaction. It is essential to consider these critical variables in counseling programs for women experiencing marital conflict.

Objective: The Healthy Adult mode is one of the primary modes in schema therapy, reflecting maturity, mental health, and good judgment. The present study aimed to qualitatively investigate the psychological empowerment of women with a Healthy Adult mode. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach. Participants included women aged 20-40 from Isfahan Province in 2023, selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data were examined using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data saturation was achieved with 20 interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. Findings: After interviewing women with a Healthy Adult mode and analyzing the data, 80 initial codes, 8 sub-themes, and 2 main themes were extracted. Coping and self-awareness were classified under the main themes, and self-compassion, self-regulation, problem-solving ability, mindfulness, developed social relationships, assertiveness, self-awareness, and the concept of a "good enough" parent were classified under the sub-themes. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that Iranian women with a Healthy Adult mode have developed components of psychological empowerment. Ultimately, it is suggested that counseling centers and organizations use practical services based on the findings of this research to enhance the psychological empowerment and promote the adult state of personality in women.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used, involving 30 infertile women recruited from a specialized infertility treatment center. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) receiving eight sessions of self-compassion training or a control group (n = 15) with no intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at a five-month follow-up using the Loneliness Questionnaire and the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Findings: The experimental group showed significant reductions in loneliness from pre-test (M = 45.32, SD = 6.45) to post-test (M = 30.21, SD = 5.28) and follow-up (M = 31.12, SD = 5.34), while the control group remained stable. Health-related quality of life significantly improved in the experimental group from pre-test (M = 62.45, SD = 7.34) to post-test (M = 78.53, SD = 6.78) and follow-up (M = 77.95, SD = 6.65), with minimal changes in the control group. ANOVA results indicated significant time and group interactions for both loneliness (F(2, 56) = 67.03, p < .001, η² = .71) and health-related quality of life (F(2, 56) = 113.20, p < .001, η² = .80). Conclusion: Self-compassion training is effective in reducing loneliness and improving health-related quality of life in infertile women. These benefits were sustained at the five-month follow-up, highlighting the long-term potential of self-compassion interventions in supporting the psychological well-being of infertile women.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an integrated intervention combining mentalization and the training package for building a secure bond on attachment styles in spouses with insecure attachment styles. Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of couples who had sought services from counseling and psychology centers in northern Tehran under the supervision of the Iranian Organization of Psychology and Counseling in 2022 and who were in the first five years of their marital life. Based on the inclusion criteria, 24 couples with insecure attachment styles were identified and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The intervention was implemented over 12 sessions, with weekly two-hour training sessions for the experimental group. Data were collected using the Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). The data were analyzed using mixed ANOVA with one within-subject factor (time) and one between-subject factor (experimental and control groups), Bonferroni post hoc test, and SPSS software version 25. Findings: The findings of this study indicated that the integrated intervention of mentalization and the training package for building a secure bond had a significant and positive effect on the attachment styles of couples (p < .01), and the effects were sustained after a two-month follow-up. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, couples' therapists can use the integrated intervention of mentalization and building a secure bond to optimize attachment styles in couples with insecure attachment styles who are in the early years of their marital life.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Imago therapy training on emotional orientation, sexual self-efficacy and sexual intimacy of married women. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control design was used in this study. The study focused on all women in Alborz province, Iran in 2021. Through purposeful sampling, 30 eligible individuals were selected and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, with 15 women in each group. The experimental group received ten sessions of Imago therapy, while the control group remained on a waiting list. The data collection tools included the Emotional Orientation in Sexual Relations Questionnaire (Aliabadian & Hassanzadeh, 2018), the Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (Vaziri & Lotfi, 2012), and the Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire (Shahsiah, 2010). Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 22, with a significance level of 0.05.Findings: Based on the results achieved, it can be concluded that every factor displayed noteworthy F values (P<0.01). Consequently, the affirmation of imago therapy training's influence on emotional orientation, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual intimacy of married women was confirmed.Conclusion: According to Imago therapy, the subjects in the experimental group demonstrated a considerable impact on their levels of sexual longing, confidence in their sexual abilities, and emotional intimacy. Counselors and clinical psychologists in appropriate centers are advised to incorporate communication imaging training (Imago therapy) as a means of enhancing both sexual self-assurance and emotional connection about women's sexual relationships.