Applied Family Therapy Journal (AFTJ)

A Sociological Study of the Phenomenon of Emotional Divorce in Tehran

Hamzeh Salemi

; Shahla Kazemi Pour Sabet *

; Parvin Savadian

Objective: This study aims to explore the sociological factors, contextual conditions, structural factors, and social pressures contributing to emotional divorce in Tehran.

Method: The study employs a qualitative approach using a sequential exploratory design and grounded theory strategy. A purposive sample of 21 individuals, aged 25-40, with at least a bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, or related fields, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using open coding and axial coding processes to identify key structures and indices related to emotional divorce. The participants included university lecturers, teachers, housewives, and private sector employees, ensuring a diverse representation of educated individuals with relevant expertise.

Findings: The results indicate that attitudes and values, social and cultural pressure, and social changes are significant causal factors in the occurrence of emotional divorce. Key phenomena identified include changes in emotional relationships, lack of emotional behavior towards the spouse, emotional void, and compulsory living. Contextual conditions such as changes in culture, values, economic conditions, and types of social interactions were influential. Structural factors identified include policies and laws, and social roles. Social pressures, including peer pressure, family opinions, and media influence, were crucial intervening factors. An educational approach was identified as an effective strategy for preventing and managing emotional divorce.

Conclusion: Emotional divorce, while not always visible, significantly impacts individuals and society. Understanding its sociological aspects and underlying causes is essential for developing effective prevention and management strategies. Educational programs aimed at improving emotional relationships, communication skills, and stress management can mitigate the negative impacts. Policymakers can use these insights to formulate supportive policies and laws. Further research is needed to generalize findings and explore the impact of emotional divorce on children and other regions.

Pre-Marital Education Based on Eric Berne's Theory and Expert-Centered Pre-Marital Education on Emotional Experiences Related to Marriage

Fahimeh Rahmati

; Sayed Esmaeil Mosavi *

; Zahra Yousefi

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pre-marital education based on Eric Berne's theory and expert-centered pre-marital education on emotional experiences related to marriage.

Method: The research was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test design, including two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population comprised all students on the verge of marriage, and the sample included 45 students who were voluntarily selected and randomly distributed into three groups of 15. The research instrument was the Emotional Experience towards Marriage Questionnaire (Yousefi et al., 2023). While the control group was on the waiting list, the experimental groups received eight ninety-minute sessions of pre-marital education based on Eric Berne's theory and expert-centered approach. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multivariate analysis of covariance).

Findings: The results showed that expert-centered pre-marital education did not improve positive emotional experiences; however, it improved both dimensions of emotional experiences towards marriage.

Conclusions: Based on these results, it can be concluded that pre-marital education based on Eric Berne's theory is stronger than the expert-centered method and has the potential to improve emotional experiences related to marriage.

Effectiveness of the Parenting Effectiveness Training Package on the Parent-Child Relationship in Children Aged 6 to 12 with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Elham Iravani

; Salar Faramarzi *

; Hasan Rezaei jamaloei

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of parenting effectiveness training on the parent-child relationship in children aged 6 to 12 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Method: The research employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest framework with a control group (one experimental group and one control group). The statistical population comprised male and female students aged 6 to 12 years with ADHD in Isfahan during the 2022-2023 academic year. The research sample consisted of 32 parents and students with ADHD, who were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Participants were chosen based on research inclusion criteria. The Parent Effectiveness Training (PET) program included 8 training sessions for parents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. At the descriptive level, frequency tables, percentage distributions, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. At the inferential level, after verifying the assumptions for parametric testing, univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA and MANCOVA) were performed.

Findings: The results indicated that parenting effectiveness training had a significant effect on the parent-child relationship at the p < .05 level.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that parenting effectiveness training positively influences the parent-child relationship in children aged 6 to 12 with ADHD and is an effective intervention method.

The Relationship Between Rumination and Coping Strategies with Marital Self-Disclosure

Ashraf Footoohi

; Marzieh Poursalehy Navideh *

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between rumination and coping strategies with marital self-disclosure.

Method: This research is fundamental in terms of its objective and descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection. The statistical population of this study consisted of all married women at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, during the academic year 2022-2023. To this end, 385 women were selected using Cochran’s formula and convenience sampling method. Participants responded to the Marital Self-Disclosure Questionnaire by Waring et al. (1998), the Ruminative Response Scale by Nolen-Hoeksema et al. (1993), and the Brief COPE Inventory by Endler and Parker (2008). After collecting the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and simultaneous multiple regression analysis.

Findings: The results indicated a significant negative correlation between rumination, avoidance-oriented coping strategies, and emotion-focused coping strategies with marital self-disclosure (p < .01). There was a significant positive correlation between problem-focused coping strategies and marital self-disclosure (p < .01).

Conclusion: The results of the multiple regression analysis also revealed that 71.6% of the variance in marital self-disclosure is explained by rumination and coping strategies. Therefore, it can be concluded that rumination and coping strategies can predict marital self-disclosure among married women.

Effectiveness of an Integrated Group Intervention Based on Mentalization and a Training Package for Building a Secure Bond on Insecure Attachment Styles in Spouses

Bita Tavakkoli

; Khadijeh Abolmaali Alhosseini *

; Zahra Sadat Pour Seyyed Aghaei

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.

Effectiveness of an Integrative Educational Package Based on Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Alexithymia and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Zahra Rezaei

; Shahnam Abolghasmi *

; Javad Khalatbari

, Reza Zarbakhsh

Objective: The present study aimed to design an educational package based on Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy and evaluate its effectiveness on alexithymia and quality of life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Tehran.

Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group and pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. Forty women with MS, who visited the MS Association in Tehran Province from October to February 2021, were selected based on research criteria through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups (using a random number table). After random assignment, one of the groups was randomly designated as the experimental group, receiving the researcher-developed integrative treatment package, and the other as the control group (n=20). The data collection tools included a demographic information questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (Bagby, Taylor, & Parker, 1994), and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 Instrument (Ware et al., 1988). Data were collected at three stages: baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. The research hypotheses were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Findings: The results of this study indicated that the educational package based on Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy significantly improved alexithymia (F=24.31, P<0.001) and quality of life (F=22.67, P<0.001) in women with MS.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the educational package based on Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy is effective in improving alexithymia and quality of life in women with MS.

The Effectiveness of Movement-Based Psychotherapy on Couple Intimacy

Zakiye Mokarami ; Aliakbar Soleimanian * ; Tayebe Rahimi Pordanjani

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of movement-based psychotherapy on couple intimacy.

Method: The research employed a single-case experimental design with multiple baselines. The statistical population consisted of all couples who visited counseling centers in Bojnord City in 2021. From this population, three couples who met the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive criterion-based sampling. Measurements were conducted using the validated Couple Intimacy Needs Questionnaire by Bagarozzi (2012). Participants were assessed over three baseline sessions, 12 intervention sessions, and three follow-up sessions. Data analysis was performed using visual analysis at both within-case and between-case levels.

Findings: Results indicated an increase in intimacy for all participants. The graph lines demonstrated an upward trend in data changes during the intervention phase, with a high percentage of Nonoverlapping Data (PND) and a low percentage of Overlapping Data (POD). Additionally, in the follow-up phase, intimacy continued to increase for four individuals (two couples) and remained within the intervention range for two individuals (one couple), indicating that movement-based psychotherapy was effective in enhancing intimacy between couples.

Conclusion: The results showed that movement-based psychotherapy, by utilizing the body as a tool to access the unconscious and applying techniques such as mirroring and fostering an understanding of each individual’s needs and emotions in their partner, increased awareness and recognition of personal and partner needs, thereby enhancing intimacy between couples. It is recommended that this method be implemented in therapeutic and counseling centers to enrich marital relationships.

A Systematic Review of Educational Damages in Children of Divorce

Marziyeh Hosseinzadeh Dashti

; Keyvan Salehi *

; Hossein Keshavarz Afshar

, Mohammad Javadipour

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.

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
Publisher: KMANPUB (KMAN Publication Inc.)
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: