Journal of preventive Counselling (JPC)

Aim : The aim of this study was to design and validate a serious game-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescent girls with social anxiety, using a structured scenario-writing protocol based on Hoffman's Social Self-Appraisal Therapy Model. Method: The research employed a multi-phase approach encompassing scenario preparation, expert evaluation, face validity testing, usability assessment, and pilot implementation. Content validity was evaluated by ten psychologists and counselors utilizing the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR) metrics. Face validity was assessed utilizing the Story World Absorption Scale (SWAS) with a cohort of 10 adolescent participants. A pilot study including an additional cohort of 10 adolescents evaluated alterations in social anxiety utilizing the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents (LSAS-CA). Usability and player experience were examined through the MEEGA+ instrument.   Results: The results demonstrated strong validity and efficacy of the serious game. Content validity was confirmed (overall CVI > 0.79, CVR > 0.62), along with robust face validity - evidenced by attention and transportation scores exceeding 0.81 (Kappa coefficients = 0.85, 0.81) and emotional engagement and mental imagery scores above 0.61 (Kappa coefficients = 0.78, 0.72). Additionally, a significant T-test result (t(9) = 16.74, p < 0.025) further supported these findings. Based on the MEEGA+ evaluation, the game was classified as 'good quality,' with θ scores ranging from 57.5 to 63.5 across usability and player experience subscales   Conclusion: The results revealed that the CBT-based serious game is both experientially effective and clinically promising. For adolescents with social anxiety, it provides a scalable and entertaining intervention tool, especially in situations where access to conventional therapy is restricted.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to the investigate effectiveness of positive psychotherapy on subjective well-being in women with veteran spouses. Method: The method of this study was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design along with a control and experimental group. The statistical population of the research includes all women with veteran spouses Noorabad Mamasani city (Fars Province) in year of 2023. Using convenience sampling, 30 women with veteran spouses participated in this study and were randomly assigned to the control group (n=15), and experimental group (n=15). Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to collect data. The experimental group received 10 sessions positive psychotherapy training (PPT) and untreated groups underwent no interventions, respectively. Data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of covariance. Finding: the findings showed positive professionals and counselors’ special attention to intervention based on positive psychotherapy for women with veteran spouses. Psychotherapy training (PPT) effects subjective well-being (p˂0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that positive psychotherapy training (PPT) can be considered as a method to improve the subjective well-being in women with veteran spouses. The findings of this study have potentially important implication for

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of chronotype on impulsivity and suicidal tendencies among soldiers. Methods: This study employed a cross sectional design. The statistical sample consisted of active soldiers aged 18 to 25 from various branches of the military. A total of 304 eligible participants were selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, including the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), and the Beck Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (BSSI). The research findings were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The results indicated that participants exhibited moderate levels of impulsivity. Significant differences were found in impulsivity and its dimensions based on chronotype , with eveningness types displaying higher levels of non-planning impulsiveness, motor impulsiveness, and cognitive impulsiveness, as well as total impulsivity and suicidal ideation compared to intermediate and morningness types (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between intermediate and morningness chronotypes in these measures (p > 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: The findings suggest that soldiers with an eveningness chronotype are more prone to impulsivity and suicidal tendencies, highlighting the importance of chronotype in mental health outcomes among military personnel. Further research is needed to explore underlying mechanisms and additional influencing factors.

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of self-encouragement training on the homesickness (including longing for family, desire to return home, maladjustment, feelings of loneliness, yearning for familiar people and environments) in non-native university students. Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test control group. The statistical population consisted of all first-year non-native university students residing in university dormitories at the Islamic Azad University of Ardabil. From this population, 30 university students were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Data were collected using the Homesickness Questionnaire developed by Van Vliet (2001). The experimental group received 10 sessions of self-encouragement training based on the encouragement training Shwanker's model (1979). Self-encouragement training is a psychological intervention aimed at enhancing resilience and reducing negative emotions by promoting self-acceptance, recognizing personal strengths, and fostering a positive outlook on life. Data analysis was conducted using multivariate covariance analysis via SPSS software, version26. Findings: The results showed that the self-encouragement Training significantly reduced the level of homesickness in the experimental group. Specifically, the post-test mean scores of homesickness and its subcomponents significantly decreased after the intervention (p<0.01). Conclusion: The self-encouragement training significantly reduced feelings of homesickness and its related components among non-native university students. This finding demonstrates the effectiveness of this psychological intervention in improving emotional adjustment and alleviating longing for family and familiar environments. Therefore, it can be considered an effective approach for providing psychological support to non-native university students.

Aim: The aim of the present research is to predict college students' achievement motivation based on their level of self-awareness, with the mediating role of solution-building mindset. Method: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study included all students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2025, from which 231 individuals were selected as the sample size using cluster sampling. The tools used in this research included the Achievement Motivation Questionnaire (Hermans, 1970), the Self-Awareness Questionnaire (Cooper, 1997), and the Solution-Building Inventory (SBI) (Jordan et al., 2010). The data analyzed by SPSS 27 and AMOS 24 using Pearson correlation and path analysis. Findings: The results of AMOS path analysis indicated a direct and significant relationship between self-awareness and student’s achievement motivation (β=0.17, P=0.001). Furthermore, a solution-building mindset had a direct relationship with self-awareness (β=0.57, P=0.001) and achievement motivation (β=0.39, P=0.001). The results also indicated mediating role of a solution-building mindset in relationship between self-awareness and achievement motivation (β=0.17, P=0.001). Finally, findings demonstrated that a solution-building mindset plays a mediating role in the relationship between self-awareness and achievement motivation. Conclusion: Based on the results of the research, it should be stated that with and without the mediating role of solution-building mindset, college student’s motivation for achievement can be predicted by self-awareness. It seems that solution-building mindset is recognized as an influential variable on achievement motivation and self-awareness in college students. Therefore, there is a necessity to examine the relationship between other important psychological variables in different communities and solution-building mindset.

Aim: The main goal of this study was to explore how human agency and optimism are related to the psychological well-being of students. Method: This study utilized a descriptive correlational method to conduct the research. The target population for the study included all high school students in the 3rd district of Karaj Education during the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. A sample size of 150 individuals was chosen using the Krejci and Morgan (1970) table through cluster random sampling. Information for the study was gathered through questionnaires on human agency developed by Woody, Palito, and Barnier (2013), optimism by Scheier and Carver (1985), and psychological well-being by Riff (2002). The data was analyzed using linear multivariate regression tests along with simultaneous and correlation methods. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software, specifically version 23. Results: The analysis of research data revealed a significant negative correlation between human agency, involuntary effort, and psychological well-being (P< 0.01). Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between optimism and psychological well-being (P< 0.01). The analysis of the research data revealed that 35% of the variations in psychological well-being can be attributed to human agency and optimism, with a statistically significant result (P < 0.01 and F (147.2) =41.19). Conclusion: The research findings indicate that agency is crucial for the personal development and adjustment of individuals to their surroundings. Human agency greatly influences the actions and situations in life, helping people to manage their endeavors in reaching their objectives and aspirations.

Aim: The main objective of this study was to examine the differentiation, communication patterns, and conflict resolution strategies of regular couples and couples who are seeking divorce in Tehran. Method: This research utilized a descriptive correlational approach using structural equation modeling. The first group consisted of 39,282 individuals seeking divorce in Tehran who had sought assistance from family courts in 2019 and had cohabitated for a minimum of two years. The second group included regular couples in Tehran who had cohabitated for at least two years and had similar demographic characteristics as the first group. The data collection tools used in this study included the the Self-Differentiation Questionnaire (Skoron & Friedlander, 1998), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ) (Christensen & Salari, 1984), Conflict Resolution Styles Questionnaire (Rahim, 1983). The data was analyzed using the SPSS26 software with regression method and path analysis approach. Results: Based on the findings, there is a notable distinction in all aspects of differentiation between the two groups (P=0.01). Moreover, findings revealed significant variance in mutual constructive communication, male expectation/female withdrawal communication, female expectation/male withdrawal communication, and mutual avoidance communication between the two groups (P=0.01). The average scores for these components were higher among normal couples compared to divorce applicants, thus confirming the third hypothesis of the study regarding conflict resolution differences (P=0.01). Conclusion: The results revealed variations in differentiation between couples seeking divorce and regular couples. Additionally, conflict resolution styles and communication patterns also showed differences between couples seeking divorce and regular couples.

Aim: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals feel compelled to perform. This study examines the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing irrational beliefs, anxiety sensitivity, and resilience in patients with OCD. Method: The research employed a semi-experimental, pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included patients diagnosed with OCD at Ardabil City in 2024. A total of 34 students with patients were selected using purposive sampling and were divided into experimental (n=17) and control (n=17) groups. The experimental group attended eight 90-minute CBT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data collection involved administering the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Questionnaire, Irrational Beliefs Questionnaire, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, and Resilience Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-27. Finding: The results indicated that CBT significantly decreases helplessness for change (F=38.59), demand for approval (F=27.35), problem avoidance (F=36.69), emotional irresponsibility (F=33.58), physical (F=34.28), cognitive (F=28.97), social (F=32.62), and increases resilience (F=38.29) in patients with OCD (P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that CBT effectively reduces irrational beliefs and anxiety sensitivity while enhancing resilience in OCD patients. This supports the broader use of CBT in clinical settings to address these psychological factors in OCD management specifically.