Journal of Family Relations Studies (JHRS)

Objective: This research aimed to develop a training package on marital skills and its effectiveness in improving intimacy and psychological well-being of couples involved in marital conflicts. Methods:  The research method in the qualitative part was content analysis, and in the quantitative part, a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population in the qualitative section was 10 specialists in the field of counseling and psychology, and in the qualitative section, couples with conflict in the city of Shahrekord in 1403. The research method , purposive sampling method was used. In this research, 16 couples with the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental group (8 couples) and the control group (8 couples). To collect data, the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale (RPWBS), and the Marital Intimacy Scale (MIS) were used. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and SPSS24 software. The results of the analysis of covariance showed (P<0.01). Results: Therefore, it can be concluded that marital skills training, as a social approach, had an enhancing role in intimacy and psychological well-being of couples with marital conflicts. Conclusion: The results of this research can be used by counseling and psychological centers, education and training, parent-teacher associations, welfare organizations, and all cultural institutions.

Objective: Family risk factors such as ineffective parenting by parents, especially mothers, can affect emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents and increase psychological problems of parents such as stress and parenting self-efficacy. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of the positive parenting program on parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy of female heads of households with teenage children. Methods: The current research was Pre-test - post-test with a control group. The research population consisted of all female heads of households under the support of the Yazd Relief Committee in 2020 who had teenage children. The research sample consisted of 20 females as heads of households, who were selected in an available manner and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. In order to measure the research variables, Domka et al.'s parenting self-efficacy questionnaire (1996) and Abdin's parental stress questionnaire (1967) were used. The interventions were conducted during 8 weekly sessions for 90 minutes, and the covariance method was used for data analysis. Results: The findings showed that positive parenting education has an effect on reducing parenting stress and improving parenting self-efficacy of females as heads of households with teenage children (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, mental health professionals can use a positive parenting program to improve females' psychological health and parenting self-efficacy.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on psychological acceptance and symptom reduction in individuals experiencing emotional breakdown. Methods:  The population of this study included all individuals aged between 18 and 38 residing in Tehran during the years 2022-2023 who had experienced emotional breakdown in their relationship between six months to 24 months prior. A single-subject experimental design of a single baseline type was employed. Five participants were selected through convenience sampling from eligible individuals responding to advertisements. Participants were assessed at three baseline stages,  during the third, fifth, and eighth therapy sessions, and at a one-month follow-up using the Ras Emotional Breakup Scale and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – Second Version (AAQ-II). Data was analyzed using graphical analysis, percentage of improvement, and effect size. Results: The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has a significant effect on individuals with emotional breakdown (PND=100% for three participants and PND=66% for two participants). However, the therapy was not significantly effective on the acceptance variable. Conclusion: The results indicate that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a promising and effective method for helping individuals suffering from emotional breakdown. This therapy is recommended for reducing the adverse effects of emotional breakdown.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the fruit vendor's relationship with families and relatives. Methods:  I conducted this study using a quantitative research approach and employed random sampling to collect field data. Results: The study showed that married fruit vendors, compared to unmarried ones, were 2.77 times more likely to have relations with family members (OR = 2.77, 95% CI = .086–.887). In addition, fruit vendors whose spouses were illiterate had good relations with family members (OR = 4.95, 95% CI, 1.26–19.39). However, fruit vendors who lived in a pacca house (OR =.208, 95% CI =.053–.819), had a monthly income of BDT ≤20,000 (OR =.261, 95% CI =.088–.778), and had no savings (OR = 8.61, 95% CI = 1.85–40.07), were likely to maintain family relations. In the case of relations with relatives, the owner of the house (OR =.147, 95% CI =.049–.440), the local fruit seller (OR = 8.26, 95% CI = 1.11-61.16), having a monthly income of BDT≤20,000 (OR = 7.96, 95% CI = 1.52-41.57), and having no savings (OR =.269, 95% CI =.079–.922) influenced it. Conclusion: GO-NGO concerns can be useful for fruit vendors, particularly those who are more vulnerable to family issues.

Objective: This study examined the effects of the dimensions of psychological capital on family cohesion and adaptability. Methods:  A quantitative research approach was applied. The statistical population was a couple of students at Universities in Tehran, and a sample of 384 students was selected for the study by using a random sampling method. A questionnaire was conducted for data collection, that after confirming the reliability (according to viewpoints of some faculty members in the field) and validity of the scales (Cronbach's alpha coefficient); it gave to the sample group. In the next step, descriptive and inferential statistics were done using SPSS software. Results: The findings showed that among the dimensions of psychological capital, the mean score of self-efficacy was higher than the other dimensions.  Differences and similarities were found in students' psychological capital by gender. The results of the correlation coefficients showed that there were significant correlations between the dimensions of psychological capital with family cohesion and adaptability of the respondents. Regression analyses indicated that self-efficacy had the most effect on family cohesion, and resilience had the most effect on family adaptability of couple students. Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that psychological capital affects family cohesion and adaptability. The findings have implications for premarital counseling and couple therapy.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on experiential avoidance, cognitive emotion regulation, and rejection sensitivity in couples. Methods:  This research employed a quantitative, applied design using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group model. The statistical population included all distressed couples who sought counseling services in Ardabil between 2024 and 2025. From this population, 30 couples whose scores exceeded the cut-off point of 135 were randomly selected and assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Research instruments included the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II (AAQ-II), and the short form of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-SF). The intervention was based on Sue Johnson’s EFCT protocol, implemented in nine 90-minute sessions for the experimental group. Results: Covariance analysis showed that EFCT significantly reduced experiential avoidance, improved cognitive emotion regulation, and decreased rejection sensitivity in distressed couples ( p < .001). The effect size ranged from 65% to 68%, indicating a substantial impact on improving couple relationships. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that EFCT has a significant and positive effect on experiential avoidance, cognitive emotion regulation, and rejection sensitivity in couples.

Objective: This study examines the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) in addressing self-efficacy, body image concerns, and couple burnout among women experiencing sexual dysfunction. Methods:  The study utilized a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The target population consisted of women diagnosed with sexual dysfunction in Ardabil City in 2024. Purposive sampling was employed to select 34 participants, divided equally into experimental (n=17) and control (n=17) groups. The experimental group participated in nine 90-minute Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data collection involved administering several measures: the Female Sexual Function Index, General Self-efficacy Scale, Body Image Concern Inventory, and Couple Burnout Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-27. Results: The findings demonstrated significant improvements in several domains among women receiving EFT compared to the control group. Specifically, EFT led to substantial decreases in body image concerns (F=60.62), physical exhaustion (F=71.82), emotional exhaustion (F=44.34), and mental exhaustion (F=54.22), alongside notable increases in self-efficacy (F=59.40) (P<0.001). Conclusion: These results underscore the importance of integrating therapeutic approaches that consider both individual and relational dynamics in the treatment of sexual dysfunction.