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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on reducing depression and cognitive biases in married women. Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 married women in Tehran who exhibited elevated depressive symptoms and cognitive biases. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) receiving eight weekly 75-minute ACT sessions or a control group (n = 15) receiving no psychological intervention. Depression and cognitive biases were assessed at pretest, posttest, and five-month follow-up using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Cognitive Bias Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27. Findings: Repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant time × group interactions for depression (F(2, 54) = 45.22, p < .001, η² = .63) and cognitive biases (F(2, 54) = 39.52, p < .001, η² = .60). Bonferroni tests showed significant reductions in depression and cognitive bias scores from pretest to posttest (p < .001) and pretest to follow-up (p < .001) in the experimental group. No significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up scores (p > .05), indicating stability of treatment effects. Conclusion: Findings suggest that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and cognitive biases in married women and that these benefits persist over a five-month follow-up. ACT may offer a promising therapeutic option for addressing both emotional and cognitive vulnerabilities in this population by promoting psychological flexibility and values-based action.

Objective: Attachment insecurities along with emotional processing difficulties, pose important risks on romantic relationships. This study aims to investigate possible associations and the interplay of alexithymia and attachment orientation on relationship quality in romantic couples. Methods: We used the actor–partner interdependence model and data from 56 heterosexual couples (N=112), who completed measures of attachment orientation, alexithymia and dyadic adjustment. Findings: Regression models indicated that both dimensions of attachment insecurity were associated with alexithymia and they consistently predicted lower relationship quality. Partner’s level of alexithymia moderated the relationship between attachment anxiety and dyadic adjustment. No significant interaction effects between attachment avoidance and alexithymia, were detected. Conclusion: The results point to the interdependent nature of emotional deficits and their effects on couple’s relationship quality. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are also discussed.

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.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the role of socio-cultural factors (cultural values of marriage and perceived social support) in the criteria for partner selection among students of Shiraz city. Methods: This research employed a descriptive and correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all students of Islamic Azad University, Shiraz branch, who were studying in the year 2022. A sample of 377 individuals (235 females and 142 males) was selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The participants were assessed using the Marriage Cultural Values Questionnaire (Delkhomoush, 2013), the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (Zimet et al., 1988), and the Partner Selection Criteria Questionnaire (Schwartz & Hassebrook, 2012). After collection, the questionnaires were edited using SPSS software, and 26 items were analyzed at both descriptive and inferential levels. Findings: The analysis of the findings using multiple regression in a simultaneous method revealed that intellectual self-construal, emotional self-construal, hierarchical cultural values, and perceived social support significantly and positively influenced the partner selection criteria of the participants. Additionally, the results from the stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that among the socio-cultural factors, intellectual self-construal had the most substantial role in partner selection criteria. Conclusion: Therefore, in the modern era, with the development of individuals' socio-economic status, partner selection criteria have become more individualistic and oriented towards personal love and affection.

Objective: The purpose of the current research was to identify the factors and contexts leading couples to mutual divorce. Method: This study was qualitative, utilizing descriptive phenomenology. The population consisted of couples seeking mutual divorce at counseling centers in Tehran. Among these, interviews with couples were conducted through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Qualitative data were collected using descriptive phenomenology and semi-structured interviews. Then, data analysis was performed using content analysis. Findings: The results of the content analysis of the data collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews showed that the contexts leading to mutual divorce could be categorized into eight classes: 1) extramarital relationships, 2) domestic violence, 3) childlessness, 4) conflicts, contradictions, and differences, 5) criminality, 6) addiction, 7) age, and 8) economic status. Conclusion: The results indicated that the factors leading to mutual divorce could be classified into two categories: personal factors and interpersonal or non-personal factors.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on pain perception and pain catastrophizing in women with breast cancer. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 women with breast cancer who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari in 2024 were studied using convenience sampling. They were then randomly assigned to two groups: the short-term intensive psychodynamic intervention group (15 participants) and the control group (15 participants) without any intervention. The short-term intensive psychodynamic intervention was implemented according to the protocol by Teska et al. (2005) over 16 weekly sessions, each lasting one and a half hours. The samples were assessed at two stages, pre-test and post-test, using the Pain Perception Questionnaire by Schaal et al. (2010) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale by Rahmati et al. (2017). Data were analyzed using repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance in SPSS24 software. Findings: In the intervention group, the mean scores for pain catastrophizing were (17.20±36.60) and for pain perception were (36.33±80.80) in the pre-test and post-test stages, respectively. Post-test scores significantly decreased compared to pre-test scores in the components of pain catastrophizing and pain perception in the experimental group compared to the control group. Additionally, the results showed that intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy had a statistically significant effect on pain catastrophizing (P<0.05, F=24.41) and pain perception (P<0.05, F=56.201) after adjusting the means of the two groups based on the pre-test score. Conclusion: The results indicate the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on pain catastrophizing and pain perception in women with breast cancer. Therefore, this therapy can be used alongside other medical treatment methods in hospitals and clinics dedicated to breast cancer patients to reduce the psychological needs and problems of women with this condition.

Employees' work behavior patterns are associated with their psychological status, especially in the face of work stressors. Among employees with healthy and unhealthy work behavior patterns, the present study aimed to compare psychological disorders and their symptoms in an industrial organization in Mashhad. Through convenience sampling, 144 employees were selected and responded to demographic information questionnaires, work-related behavior and experience patterns questionnaire (AVEM), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Data analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance in SPSS software version 26. The findings indicated that psychological symptoms and disorders were significantly higher in employees with unhealthy work behavior patterns, especially the burnout pattern, than in employees with healthy work behavior patterns. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on the mental health of employees who adopt unhealthy work behavior patterns in the face of occupational stressors. In line with existing research evidence, psychological intervention programs that include training in adopting healthy work behavior patterns and enhancing mental health impact employees' well-being and demand further research. Developing and implementing prevention policies and mental health programs in the workplace in favor of employees' well-being is associated with increased organizational productivity and community welfare.