Applied Family Therapy Journal (AFTJ)

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Affective Control in Pregnant Women in Ilam City in 2019

Marzieh Mohammadzadeh

; Shahram Mami *

; Vahid Ahmadi

, Tayebeh Rashidian

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on affective control in pregnant women.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 45 pregnant women from Ilam, Iran, who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: MBSR, ACT, or control. Participants in the experimental groups underwent 8 weekly group sessions of either MBSR or ACT, while the control group received no intervention. Affective control was measured using the Affective Control Scale, which includes subscales for anger, anxiety, depression, and positive affect. Pre-test and post-test assessments were administered to all groups, and data were analyzed using ANCOVA to compare the effects of the interventions across groups.

Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in affective control for both MBSR and ACT groups compared to the control group. The ANCOVA showed significant effects for both MBSR and ACT in reducing anxiety, improving positive affect, and regulating anger, with no significant difference between the two experimental groups. The control group showed no significant changes in any of the emotional regulation variables. Both experimental groups demonstrated a large effect size for affective control (η² = 0.53), with smaller but significant effects on anxiety and positive affect (η² = 0.19 and η² = 0.17, respectively).

Conclusion: Both MBSR and ACT were effective in improving affective control and emotional regulation in pregnant women, with similar outcomes for both interventions. These findings suggest that both therapies could be useful tools for managing stress and enhancing emotional well-being during pregnancy.

Structural Equation Modeling of Marital Conflicts Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas, Gender Stereotypes, and Emotional Needs with the Mediation of Coping Styles

Hossein Siri

; Mohsen Mohammadi *

; Majid Zargham Hajebi

Objective: This study aimed to develop and test a structural equation model for predicting marital conflict based on early maladaptive schemas, gender stereotypes, and emotional needs, with the mediating role of coping styles.

Methods and Materials: The research adopted a correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included 1,760 married men and women with marital conflicts who had sought counseling services in Tehran in 2024. Using purposive sampling, 500 participants were selected who had been married for at least six months and voluntarily completed six standardized questionnaires: the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form, Bem Sex Role Inventory (short form), Emotional Needs Questionnaire, Young-Rigg Schema Avoidance Inventory, and Young’s Overcompensation Inventory. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS software through both descriptive and inferential statistics, including path coefficients and indirect effects.

Findings: The results showed that disconnection and rejection schema (β = 0.413, p < 0.001), other-directedness (β = 0.214, p < 0.001), avoidance coping (β = 0.217, p < 0.001), and overcompensation coping (β = 0.122, p = 0.010) were significant direct predictors of marital conflict. Emotional needs significantly predicted both avoidance (β = 0.175, p = 0.014) and overcompensation coping (β = 0.246, p < 0.001). Gender stereotypes also played a role, with neutrality negatively predicting marital conflict (β = –0.229, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirmed significant indirect effects of impaired autonomy and emotional needs on marital conflict via avoidance coping, and of impaired limits and over-vigilance via overcompensation coping (p < 0.05). However, several indirect paths through gender stereotypes were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The findings support a comprehensive model where early maladaptive schemas, emotional needs, and gender stereotypes predict marital conflict through maladaptive coping styles. These insights can inform schema-based couple therapy by addressing cognitive-emotional vulnerabilities and promoting healthier coping mechanisms in marital relationships.

The Effectiveness of Premarital Education Using the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method on Marital Stability and Emotional Expressiveness

Amirhossein Sobhaninia *

; Karim Golpour

, Atefeh Reyhani

, Ali Hoseinkhani

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of premarital education based on the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method in enhancing marital stability and emotional expressiveness among engaged couples.
Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial design was used involving 30 participants recruited from premarital counseling centers in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15), which received a ten-session premarital education program, and a control group (n = 15), which received no intervention during the study period. The intervention was delivered in weekly 60-minute group sessions focusing on interpersonal awareness, emotional literacy, and decision-making in romantic relationships. Standardized instruments were used to measure marital stability and emotional expressiveness at three time points: pretest, posttest, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27 to assess within-group and between-group differences over time.
Findings: Results indicated a significant interaction effect between time and group for marital stability (F(2, 56) = 14.72, p < 0.001, η² = 0.34), with the experimental group showing greater improvements compared to the control group. Similarly, emotional expressiveness demonstrated a significant group-by-time interaction (F(2, 56) = 17.59, p < 0.001, η² = 0.38), with post-hoc comparisons revealing that the experimental group had significantly higher scores at both posttest and follow-up phases. All assumptions for repeated measures ANOVA were confirmed prior to analysis.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that premarital education based on the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method is an effective intervention for promoting emotional expressiveness and marital stability among engaged individuals. These results highlight the value of incorporating structured emotional and interpersonal training into premarital counseling services to support relationship resilience and long-term satisfaction.
Keywords: Premarital education, interpersonal awareness, emotional expressiveness, marital stability.

Parental Overcontrol and Adolescent Social Withdrawal: The Mediating Role of Fear of Evaluation

Mariana Nikolova

; Ibrahim Adeyemi *

; Neha Sharma

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental overcontrol and adolescent social withdrawal, with fear of negative and positive evaluation as potential mediating variables.

Methods: The research employed a descriptive correlational design and included a sample of 551 Nigerian adolescents selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Data were collected using standardized self-report instruments: the Psychological Control Scale–Youth Self-Report (PCS-YSR) for parental overcontrol, the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE), the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES), and the Withdrawn/Depressed subscale of the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using SPSS-27, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted via AMOS-21 to examine direct and indirect pathways among the variables.

Findings: Pearson correlation analysis showed that parental overcontrol was significantly associated with fear of negative evaluation (r = .51, p < .001), fear of positive evaluation (r = .47, p < .001), and social withdrawal (r = .42, p < .001). SEM results confirmed that the structural model had good fit indices (χ² = 146.23, df = 84, χ²/df = 1.74, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.041). Parental overcontrol had significant direct effects on fear of negative evaluation (β = .51, p < .001), fear of positive evaluation (β = .48, p < .001), and social withdrawal (β = .27, p < .001). Both fears significantly predicted social withdrawal (FNE: β = .45, p < .001; FPE: β = .38, p < .001). Indirect effects of parental overcontrol on social withdrawal via FNE (B = 0.19, p < .001) and FPE (B = 0.14, p < .001) were also significant.

Conclusion: These findings highlight that fear of evaluation—both negative and positive—serves as a psychological mechanism linking parental overcontrol to social withdrawal in adolescents, emphasizing the importance of addressing cognitive-affective vulnerabilities in preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Co-Parenting Quality and Parenting Stress as Predictors of Child Behavioral Adjustment

Selva Turan

; Youssef Benali *

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the predictive roles of co-parenting quality and parenting stress in relation to child behavioral adjustment among parents in Morocco.

Methods: A correlational descriptive design was employed involving a sample of 396 parents selected based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling table. Participants completed three standardized instruments: the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to assess child behavioral problems, the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form (PSI-SF) to measure perceived parenting stress, and the Co-parenting Relationship Scale (CRS) to evaluate co-parenting quality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed to examine the bivariate associations between the dependent variable and each independent variable. Multiple linear regression was then conducted to evaluate the joint predictive power of parenting stress and co-parenting quality on child behavioral adjustment, with all assumptions for regression analysis thoroughly checked and confirmed.

Findings: Results showed a significant positive correlation between parenting stress and child behavioral problems (r = .56, p < .01), and a significant negative correlation between co-parenting quality and child behavioral problems (r = –.42, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that parenting stress (β = .48, t = 8.60, p < .01) and co-parenting quality (β = –.31, t = –6.75, p < .01) were both significant predictors of child behavioral adjustment. The overall model was significant (F(2, 393) = 129.72, p < .01), explaining 40% of the variance in child behavioral outcomes (R² = .40, Adjusted R² = .39).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical roles of both relational and psychological parenting factors in child development. Interventions aiming to reduce parenting stress and enhance co-parenting quality may be effective in improving behavioral outcomes in children, especially in non-Western cultural contexts like Morocco.

Impact of a Forgiveness-Based Intervention on Marital Commitment and Trust Restoration

Mei-Ling Chen

; Intan Sari *

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a forgiveness-based intervention in enhancing marital commitment and restoring trust among married individuals experiencing relational distress.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 married participants from Indonesia, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received six structured forgiveness-based therapy sessions over six weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Standardized measures of marital commitment and trust were administered at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, with SPSS version 27.

Findings: Results from repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant time × group interaction effects for marital commitment (F(2, 54) = 17.12, p < .001, η² = .39) and trust (F(2, 54) = 19.68, p < .001, η² = .42). Bonferroni post-hoc analyses indicated that both marital commitment and trust significantly increased from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) and were maintained at the five-month follow-up (p < .001), with no significant decline between post-test and follow-up (p > .05).

Conclusion: The therapeutic gains were not only immediate but also sustained over time, supporting the use of structured forgiveness interventions in marital counseling settings. These findings highlight the potential of forgiveness as a valuable tool in relationship repair and emotional healing.

Assessing the Impact of a Strength-Based Parenting Program on Family Cohesion and Marital Conflicts

Giselle Mata

; Florian Bauer *

; Oriana Piskorz-Ryń

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a strength-based parenting program in enhancing family cohesion and reducing marital conflicts among parents.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was employed with 30 participants (15 in the intervention group and 15 in the control group), all of whom were parents residing in Italy. The intervention group participated in a nine-session, strength-based parenting program delivered over nine weeks, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Both groups completed assessments at three time points: pretest, posttest, and a five-month follow-up. The standardized tools used included the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales IV (FACES IV) to measure family cohesion and the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ) to assess marital conflicts. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS version 27.

Findings: The repeated measures ANOVA indicated significant time × group interaction effects for both family cohesion (F(2,56) = 16.63, p < .001, η² = .39) and marital conflicts (F(2,56) = 18.38, p < .001, η² = .41). Post-hoc comparisons revealed that the intervention group experienced significant increases in family cohesion from pretest to posttest (Mean Difference = 6.87, p < .001) and follow-up (Mean Difference = 6.14, p < .001). Similarly, marital conflicts significantly decreased in the intervention group from pretest to posttest (Mean Difference = -10.85, p < .001) and remained lower at follow-up (Mean Difference = -11.19, p < .001), with no significant changes observed in the control group.

Conclusion: The strength-based parenting intervention proved effective in promoting family cohesion and reducing marital conflict over time, with sustained benefits evident at a five-month follow-up. These findings highlight the value of strengths-focused approaches in enhancing family relationships and emotional well-being.

Ethnic-Racial Socialization in Mixed Heritage Families: A Grounded Theory Study

Angel Lee ; Amirul Iskandar *

Objective: This study aimed to explore how parents in mixed heritage families in Malaysia engage in ethnic-racial socialization and transmit cultural identity to their children within the context of a multicultural society.

Methods: Using a qualitative grounded theory approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 parents from diverse mixed heritage backgrounds residing in Malaysia. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation guided the endpoint of data collection. Interviews focused on participants’ practices, challenges, and perspectives regarding cultural identity transmission in the home. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using NVivo software, employing open, axial, and selective coding to generate a conceptual framework grounded in participants’ narratives.

Findings: Five main categories emerged: Cultural Identity Transmission, Language and Communication, Navigating Racial Bias, Family Dynamics, and Community and Social Engagement. Parents engaged in intentional practices such as storytelling, celebration of traditions, and bilingual upbringing to reinforce cultural heritage. They also described emotional and strategic responses to racial bias, as well as negotiation between co-parenting and intergenerational influences. Language was both a bridge and a barrier, shaping identity and familial cohesion. Parents sought external support through cultural events and digital communities to validate and enrich their children’s mixed identities. These findings highlight the emotional labor and adaptive strategies involved in raising bicultural children in socially stratified environments.

Conclusion: Ethnic-racial socialization in mixed heritage families is a complex, multifaceted process involving intentional practices, emotional negotiations, and contextual adaptations. Parents act as cultural mediators, balancing heritage preservation with societal integration.

About the Journal

E-ISSN: 3041-8798
Director in Charge: Dr. Seyed Ali Darbani
Editor-in-chief: Dr. Shokoh Navabinejad
Associate editor: Dr. Seyed Ali Darbani
Owner: Iranian Association for Women's Studies
Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB)
Contact Email: aftjournal@gmail.com / aftjournal@kmanpub.com
Open Access: YES

Applied Family Therapy Journal is a scientific open access double-blind anonymous open (since 2024) peer-reviewed journal publishing original articles, reviews, short communications and scientific reports of a high scientific and ethical standard in psychology, counseling and related academic disciplines. This journal is published four times per year in English by Iranian Association for Women's Studies and KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB).

Since 2024, this journal only accepts and publishes articles in English and no longer publishes Persian articles.

The research fields and topics within the activity framework of AFTJ include:

Family counseling and couple therapy
Women counseling
Children and adolescent counseling
Rehabilitation counseling in the field of family
Marriage and youth counseling
Divorce counseling
Children and adolescent counseling
Counseling about addiction in the family

Current Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025): Serial Number 26

Published: 2025-04-01

Articles

Self-Esteem in Marital Relationships

Matin Asadi Nikouyan *

1-12
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.1
Cultural Silence and Emotional Suppression in Asian-American Families: A Phenomenological Exploration

Sophia Lee

; Brian Matthews *

; Jennifer Torres

35-144
- PDF
Impact of a Peer-Family Connection Program on Social Belonging and Risk Behavior Reduction in Adolescents

Lukas Schneider

; Eszter Kovács *

; Marco Conti

145-153
- PDF
Parental Anxiety and Parental Criticism as Predictors of Child Internalizing Symptoms

Adaeze Okonkwo

; Thandiwe Dlamini *

163-171
- PDF
Parental Rejection and Child Emotion Dysregulation: The Mediating Role of Shame

Giulia Romano

, Oriana Piskorz-Ryń

; Juan Camilo Ríos *

72-181
- PDF
Parental Conflict and Adolescent Sleep Problems: The Mediating Role of Anxiety

Badhon Ahmmed

; Ayesha Khan *

182-191
- PDF
Father Involvement and Mother–Father Coordination as Predictors of Child Social Competence

Nayelli Muñoz

; Carlos Hernández *

154-162
- PDF
Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Acceptance Training Package on the Attitude of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Haleh Ofoghi *

; Sajad Amini Manesh

; Mohammad Mozafari

, Mohammadreza Bardideh

13-22
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.2
Effectiveness of Stress Inoculation Training on Emotional Regulation, Childbirth Self-Efficacy and Natural Childbirth Anxiety

Omolbanin Masihpour Mojavery

; Ghodratollah Abbasi *

; Leila Moslemi

23-30
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.3
Modeling Marital Satisfaction and Parental Problem-Solving on Children's Mental Health with the Mediating Role of Parental Emotional Support

Fateme Javid *

; Sareh Bagheri

31-39
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.4
Analysis of the Effects of Schema-Based and Mindful Parenting on Reducing Sleep Problems and Aggression in Children with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sedigheh Bakhtiari Shahri

; Alireza Rajaei *

; Sepideh Pourhydari

40-49
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.5
The Process of Meaning Formation in Adolescents: A Grounded Theory

Hamed Nasiri

; Salar Faramarzi *

; Fahimeh Namdarpor

50-62
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.6
The Effectiveness Based on Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy on Internalized Shame, Marital Disaffection and Tendency to Divorce in Unfaithful Couples

Sadaf Azarmajd

; Anis KhoshLahjeh Sedgh *

63-71
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.7
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy on Marital Quality of Life and Sexual Communication Intelligence in Couples with Marital Conflicts

Zohreh Amiri

; Asghar Norouzi *

; Shahnam Abolghasemi

72-82
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.8
Effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy on the Quality of Relationship Dimensions and Conflict Resolution Styles in Betrayed Spouses

Fatemeh Eslahi Farshami *

83-91
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.9
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Self-Efficacy of Adolescents with a History of Domestic Violence

Samaneh Gholami

; Mohammad Kazem Fakhri *

; Gholamreza Khalili

92-104
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.10
Examining the Relationship Between Psychological Abnormalities and Emotional Interactions with Emotional Divorce with the Mediating Role of Religious Beliefs in Couples with Marital Conflicts

Alireza Faghih Tabaghdehi *

; Nasibeh Sheikhi Ghahderijani

105-115
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.11
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Components of Psychological Well-Being in the Persian Version of the Ryff Scale Across Different Ethnic Groups of Afghan Families

Zarifullah Ahmadyar

; Mahmood Heidari *

; Mohammad Ali Mazaheri

, Fereshteh Mootabi

116-125
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.12
Examining the Effectiveness of Wisdom-Based Couples Therapy on Sense of Coherence, Cognitive-Affective Empathy, and Emotion Regulation in Conflicted Couples

Nazanin Khoshbakht

; Mohammad Hassan Asayesh *

; Yasser Rezapour Mirsaleh

, Zahra Jahanbakhshi

126-134
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.aftj.6.2.13

View All Issues

Applied Family Therapy Journal (AFTJ)

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Affective Control in Pregnant Women in Ilam City in 2019

Structural Equation Modeling of Marital Conflicts Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas, Gender Stereotypes, and Emotional Needs with the Mediation of Coping Styles

The Effectiveness of Premarital Education Using the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method on Marital Stability and Emotional Expressiveness

Parental Overcontrol and Adolescent Social Withdrawal: The Mediating Role of Fear of Evaluation

Co-Parenting Quality and Parenting Stress as Predictors of Child Behavioral Adjustment

Impact of a Forgiveness-Based Intervention on Marital Commitment and Trust Restoration

Assessing the Impact of a Strength-Based Parenting Program on Family Cohesion and Marital Conflicts

Ethnic-Racial Socialization in Mixed Heritage Families: A Grounded Theory Study

About the Journal

Current Issue

Articles

Self-Esteem in Marital Relationships

Cultural Silence and Emotional Suppression in Asian-American Families: A Phenomenological Exploration

Impact of a Peer-Family Connection Program on Social Belonging and Risk Behavior Reduction in Adolescents

Parental Anxiety and Parental Criticism as Predictors of Child Internalizing Symptoms

Parental Rejection and Child Emotion Dysregulation: The Mediating Role of Shame

Parental Conflict and Adolescent Sleep Problems: The Mediating Role of Anxiety

Father Involvement and Mother–Father Coordination as Predictors of Child Social Competence

Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Acceptance Training Package on the Attitude of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effectiveness of Stress Inoculation Training on Emotional Regulation, Childbirth Self-Efficacy and Natural Childbirth Anxiety

Modeling Marital Satisfaction and Parental Problem-Solving on Children's Mental Health with the Mediating Role of Parental Emotional Support

Analysis of the Effects of Schema-Based and Mindful Parenting on Reducing Sleep Problems and Aggression in Children with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder

The Process of Meaning Formation in Adolescents: A Grounded Theory

The Effectiveness Based on Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy on Internalized Shame, Marital Disaffection and Tendency to Divorce in Unfaithful Couples

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy on Marital Quality of Life and Sexual Communication Intelligence in Couples with Marital Conflicts

Effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy on the Quality of Relationship Dimensions and Conflict Resolution Styles in Betrayed Spouses

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Self-Efficacy of Adolescents with a History of Domestic Violence

Examining the Relationship Between Psychological Abnormalities and Emotional Interactions with Emotional Divorce with the Mediating Role of Religious Beliefs in Couples with Marital Conflicts

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Components of Psychological Well-Being in the Persian Version of the Ryff Scale Across Different Ethnic Groups of Afghan Families

Examining the Effectiveness of Wisdom-Based Couples Therapy on Sense of Coherence, Cognitive-Affective Empathy, and Emotion Regulation in Conflicted Couples

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