KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus
type: channel
description: E-ISSN: 3041-9026 Director-in-Charge: Dr. Nadereh Saadati Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Amelia Rizzo Associate editor: Dr. Sefa Bulut Owner: KMAN Research Institute Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Contact email: psychnexus@kmanpub.com / kmanpsychnexus@gmail.com Open access: YES KMAN Counseling and Psychology Nexus stands as a pioneering megajournal in the field of psychology, offering an innovative approach to scholarly publishing. It uniquely combines both open peer-review and double-blind anonymous peer-review processes, ensuring the highest standards of academic rigor and transparency. KMAN Counseling and Psychology Nexus invites researchers and practitioners to contribute to these dynamic fields. Each section is open for new submissions, welcoming innovative and impactful research that advances the understanding of various psychological disciplines. Authors are encouraged to share their insights and discoveries, contributing to the rich tapestry of knowledge in the realm of psychological science. Sections and Focus Areas: Health Psychology: This section is dedicated to manuscripts exploring the interplay between psychological factors and physical health. It emphasizes research aimed at understanding how psychological variables impact physical well-being and developing interventions to enhance health and wellness. Clinical Psychology: Focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional disorders, this section encourages manuscripts that delve into the causes and mechanisms of mental illnesses and propose effective intervention strategies. Rehabilitation Counseling: Manuscripts in this section concentrate on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The focus is on overcoming barriers in various life aspects, including employment and education, and promoting independence and self-sufficiency. Educational Psychology and Counseling: This section invites research that aids students in achieving academic and …
publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB)
language: en
publication name: KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus
issn: 3041-9026
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Bowenian Systemic Therapy and Minuchin’s Structural Therapy on Family Cohesion and Marital Commitment in Conflictual Couples in Mashhad
items: Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy and Psychodrama on Distress Tolerance and Anxiety Sensitivity in Bereaved Survivors of Deceased COVID-19 Patients
items: Love and Deception: Exploring the Lived Experience of Deceptive Men in Romantic Relationships
items: The Effectiveness of Time Perspective Training on Academic Burnout, Self-Defeating Behavior, and Thought Control Strategies in Upper Secondary School Students
items: Determination of the Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (INDUC) and Its Relationship with General Health (GHQ-28) in an Iranian Population
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on Cognitive Distortions and Emotion Regulation in Women with Social Anxiety Disorder
items: Development of a Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Protocol for Individuals with Binge Eating
items: Modeling Premature Ejaculation Disorder Based on Body Image with the Mediating Role of Attachment and Narcissism
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavioral Group Counseling and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Emotional Styles in Women on the Verge of Divorce
items: Prediction of Burnout Among Caregivers in Elderly Care Centers Based on Psychological Capital and Empathy: The Mediating Role of Caregiving Burden
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy on Distress Tolerance in Maladjusted Couples
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Compassion-Based Therapy and Mentalization-Based Interventions on Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being in Workers with Job Burnout
items: The Effect of Organizational Happiness on Organizational Reputation among Employees of Selected Martial Arts Federations: The Mediating Role of Resilience
items: The Relationship Between Anger Management and Integrative Self-Knowledge with the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Nurses
items: Exploring the Components of Subjective Well-Being Among Individuals Living in Urban Stressful Environments
items: Exploring the Role of Teacher Scaffolding in Fostering Independent Learning
items: Exploring the Dimensions of Motivation in Stroke Survivors During Physical Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Inquiry
items: Identifying Coping Strategies in Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Qualitative Inquiry
items: Exploring the Components of Psychological Safety in Multicultural Work Teams
items: Effectiveness of Wise Parenting Training on Mothers’ Parenting Stress and Adolescents’ Resilience
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Working Memory in Individuals with Primary Insomnia
items: Effectiveness and Comparison of Transdiagnostic Therapy and Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy on Positive Meta-Emotions in Pregnant Women
items: Effectiveness of Active Music Therapy on Echolalia and Pitch Frequency in Level-One Autism Spectrum Disorder Children
items: Studying Divorced Couples’ Lived Experiences of Social and Psychological Factors Influencing Divorce to Propose an Appropriate Conceptual Model
items: The Effect of the “Building a Lasting Connection (BLC)” Program on Improving Communication and Increasing Intimacy in Couples About to Marry
items: The Effectiveness of Couple Therapy Based on Reality Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Sexual Intimacy in Betrayed Couples
items: Comparison of the Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy and Mentalization-Based Therapy on Rejection Sensitivity in Individuals with Borderline Personality Structure
items: Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)–Based Intervention on Job Burnout and Quality of Care among Psychiatric Ward Nurses
items: Comparison of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, Emotional Literacy, and Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes in Married Female Students with Emotional Divorce Experience and Other Married Female Students
items: The Relationship Between Social Comparison Processes and Well-Being in Digital Environments

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Bowenian Systemic Therapy and Minuchin’s Structural Therapy on Family Cohesion and Marital Commitment in Conflictual Couples in Mashhad
type: item
description: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy on family cohesion and marital commitment among couples experiencing marital conflict. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest–posttest design, including a control group and a one-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all conflictual couples who referred to counseling centers (Dr. Hekmabadi, Lifestyle, Farhikhtagan, Rah-e Sabz, and Rasa) in the city of Mashhad during the summer of 2024 (July to September 2024). Using convenience sampling, 90 couples were selected as the sample and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (30 participants in each group). Data were collected using the Family Organizational Cohesion Questionnaire developed by Fisher et al. (1992) and the Marital Commitment Questionnaire by Adams and Jones (1997). One week after administering the pretest to all three groups, the first experimental group received Bowenian systemic therapy, the second experimental group received Minuchin’s structural therapy, and the control group received no intervention. Subsequently, the posttest was administered to all groups. To examine between-group differences, a multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted, considering the within-subject factor (time: test) and the between-subject factor (group membership). The results indicated that both Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy were effective in improving family cohesion and marital commitment in conflictual couples. Another finding showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the effectiveness of Bowenian systemic therapy and Minuchin’s structural therapy on family cohesion only in the dimension of participation and cooperation; however, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two therapies with respect to marital commitment. Based on …
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: Bowenian systemic therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Minuchin’s structural therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: family cohesion
  topic: keywords
subject: marital commitment
  topic: keywords
creator: Hamid Seraj Kermani
creator: Mehdi Ghasemi Motlagh
creator: Baratali Ghavami
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Hamid Seraj Kermani (Author); Mehdi Ghasemi Motlagh (Corresponding Author); Baratali Ghavami (Author)
date: 2026-01-20
publication date: 2026-01-20
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy and Psychodrama on Distress Tolerance and Anxiety Sensitivity in Bereaved Survivors of Deceased COVID-19 Patients
type: item
description: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral group therapy and psychodrama on distress tolerance and anxiety sensitivity among bereaved survivors of patients who died due to COVID-19. This applied, quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up. The population consisted of bereaved survivors of deceased COVID-19 patients in Shiraz, Iran. Thirty-six eligible participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy group, a psychodrama therapy group, or a control group (12 participants per group). The interventions were delivered in group format over eight and ten 90-minute sessions respectively. Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and follow-up using the Distress Tolerance Scale and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised. Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-22. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of time and significant interaction effects between time and group for all components of distress tolerance and anxiety sensitivity (p < .001). Between-group comparisons indicated significant differences across all outcome variables (p < .001). Bonferroni post-hoc analyses demonstrated that both intervention groups significantly outperformed the control group, while the psychodrama group showed significantly greater improvement than the mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy group on all components (p < .05). Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up. Both mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodrama effectively enhanced distress tolerance and reduced anxiety sensitivity in bereaved COVID-19 survivors, with psychodrama producing superior and more durable outcomes.
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: category
subject: COVID-19 Bereavement
  topic: keywords
subject: Distress Tolerance
  topic: keywords
subject: Anxiety Sensitivity
  topic: keywords
subject: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Psychodrama
  topic: keywords
creator: Javid Karaminezhad
creator: Ali Nori
creator: Mohammad Asgari
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Javid Karaminezhad (Author); Ali Nori (Corresponding Author); Mohammad Asgari (Author)
date: 2026-01-25
publication date: 2026-01-25
starting page: 1
ending page: 13

Love and Deception: Exploring the Lived Experience of Deceptive Men in Romantic Relationships
type: item
description: A romantic bond that is formed through reliance on deception constitutes a lust-driven and tension-inducing craving that, in addition to harming the victim, can also entrap the deceiver in severe and enduring suffering—ambiguous forms of suffering whose clarification has thus far been largely neglected in the literature. The objective of the present study was to explore the lived experience of deceptive men in unstable and deception-laden romantic relationships. The present study employed a qualitative design based on interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Using purposive sampling, the researcher selected and interviewed 18 individuals who had current or previous experiences of emotional deception. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and ultimately analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method proposed by Smith et al. (2009). Exploration of the participants’ lived experiences led to the identification of four superordinate themes: the death of secure beliefs and the consolidation of their contradictions; love as a fabricated lust with fourfold masks; soothing cognitive–moral justifications; and a hell called: the inability to love. Examination of the lived experiences of emotional deceivers revealed that emotional deception and engagement in false romantic relationships, apart from transient pleasures, leave profound and lasting suffering in these individuals. This destructive suffering gradually renders this group pessimistic toward themselves, others, human relationships, and life as a whole, making the re-experience of peace in their personal, relational, and social worlds difficult and, in some cases, virtually impossible.
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: love
  topic: keywords
subject: deception
  topic: keywords
subject: men
  topic: keywords
subject: deceiver
  topic: keywords
subject: interpretative phenomenological analysis
  topic: keywords
creator: Mousa Choupani
creator: Samareh Azarzobdeh
creator: Tahereh Pouladkhani
creator: Reza Alibabaei
creator: Atefeh Afrashteh
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Mousa Choupani (Corresponding Author); Samareh Azarzobdeh, Tahereh Pouladkhani, Reza Alibabaei, Atefeh Afrashteh (Author)
date: 2026-01-04
publication date: 2026-01-04
starting page: 1
ending page: 16

The Effectiveness of Time Perspective Training on Academic Burnout, Self-Defeating Behavior, and Thought Control Strategies in Upper Secondary School Students
type: item
description: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of time perspective training on reducing academic burnout and self-defeating behavior and on improving thought control strategies among upper secondary school students. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments and a control group. Participants were 45 upper secondary school female students selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a structured time perspective training program based on Zimbardo’s theoretical framework delivered in 10 sessions over 8 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Academic Burnout Questionnaire, the Self-Defeating Behavior and Cognition Scale, and the Thought Control Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance, with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. After controlling for pretest scores, significant group effects were observed for academic burnout (F = 316.32, p < .001, η² = .556), self-defeating behavior (F = 34.20, p < .001, η² = .430), and thought control strategies (F = 79.55, p < .001, η² = .369). Bonferroni comparisons indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower levels of academic burnout and self-defeating behavior and significantly higher adaptive thought control at posttest compared with the control group (p < .001). These effects remained stable at follow-up. Time perspective training constitutes a highly effective intervention for improving academic and psychological functioning in adolescents and offers a promising approach for school-based mental health and educational support programs.
subject: Educational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Educational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Time perspective
  topic: keywords
subject: Academic burnout
  topic: keywords
subject: Self-defeating behavior
  topic: keywords
subject: Thought control strategies
  topic: keywords
subject: Adolescents
  topic: keywords
creator: Saeb Seifi
creator: Faezeh Jahan
creator: Nemat Sotoudeh
creator: Noor Mohammad Rezaei
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Saeb Seifi (Author); Faezeh Jahan (Corresponding Author); Nemat Sotoudeh, Noor Mohammad Rezaei (Author)
date: 2026-01-12
publication date: 2026-01-12
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Determination of the Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (INDUC) and Its Relationship with General Health (GHQ-28) in an Iranian Population
type: item
description: The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences. This study was an exploratory investigation based on classical test theory and is classified as an instrument development study. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with a history of substance use who were receiving treatment at Karizak Addiction Treatment Center. A convenience sample of 382 participants was selected from this center. The Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (INDUC) is a standardized instrument for assessing the negative consequences of substance use, developed by Tonigan and Miller (2022). In this field study, data were collected using the INDUC and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data were gathered through the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences (Tonigan & Miller, 2022) and the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg, 1972) and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis) and confirmatory factor analysis with SPSS and AMOS software. Based on the findings of this study, the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and reliability in the Iranian population. Reliability and validity at both the subscale and total score levels, along with good model fit of the five-factor structure in both exploratory and confirmatory analyses, indicate the adequacy of the factor structure of this instrument. The results showed that the items of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences possess acceptable reliability and adequate construct validity. Moreover, significant correlations were observed between the total scores and subscales of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences and the General Health Questionnaire.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Drug use consequences
  topic: keywords
subject: general health
  topic: keywords
subject: reliability
  topic: keywords
subject: validity
  topic: keywords
subject: norm
  topic: keywords
creator: Fatemeh Tarzi
creator: Jalil Younisi Broujeni
creator: Ali Fathi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Fatemeh Tarzi (Author); Jalil Younisi Broujeni (Corresponding Author); Ali Fathi (Author)
date: 2026-01-10
publication date: 2026-01-10
starting page: 1
ending page: 14

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on Cognitive Distortions and Emotion Regulation in Women with Social Anxiety Disorder
type: item
description: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of a task-based cognitive rehabilitation program on improving executive functions in children diagnosed with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure and a control group. From the population of children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder who attended rehabilitation centers and clinics in Tehran in 2024, a total of 30 children were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 12 sessions of a 45-minute task-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention, whereas the control group did not receive any intervention. The Go/No-Go Test (Menon, Adleman, & White, 2001), the Color–Word Test (Stroop, 1935), and the N-Back Test (Kirchner, 1985) were employed as research instruments. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that the task-based cognitive rehabilitation program had a significant effect on improving components of executive functions (including attention, inhibition, and visuospatial working memory) in children with high-functioning autism (P ≤ .05). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the task-based cognitive rehabilitation program can be used as an effective intervention for enhancing executive functions in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Social anxiety disorder
  topic: keywords
subject: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Emotion-Focused Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognitive distortion
  topic: keywords
subject: Emotion regulation
  topic: keywords
creator: Seyede Shahrbano Shafie Nezhad
creator: Hossein Bigdeli
creator: Nasser Sobhi Gharamaleki
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Seyede Shahrbano Shafie Nezhad (Author); Hossein Bigdeli (Corresponding Author); Nasser Sobhi Gharamaleki (Author)
date: 2026-01-15
publication date: 2026-01-15
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Development of a Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Protocol for Individuals with Binge Eating
type: item
description: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a comprehensive, evidence-based protocol for promoting a healthy lifestyle among individuals with binge eating, grounded in empirical data and aligned with contemporary behavioral and psychological models. This applied mixed-methods study followed a sequential exploratory design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults with binge eating from Tehran using purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved, and data were analyzed through thematic analysis. In the quantitative phase, the extracted components were examined in a larger sample to assess content validity and internal consistency, and the finalized protocol was structured into a session-based intervention model. Thematic analysis yielded six core domains of healthy lifestyle promotion: psychological self-regulation, eating behavior restructuring, physical activity integration, stress and sleep management, social and environmental support, and meaning and motivation. Content validity indices and ratios exceeded acceptable thresholds for all components, and reliability analysis demonstrated strong internal consistency, with high Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for individual domains and excellent overall protocol reliability. The findings support the conceptualization of binge eating as a multidimensional lifestyle-related condition and indicate that the developed protocol is theoretically coherent, empirically grounded, and psychometrically sound. The protocol provides a structured yet flexible framework that integrates emotional, behavioral, and lifestyle components, offering a promising approach for promoting sustainable healthy lifestyle change among individuals with binge eating.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Binge eating
  topic: keywords
subject: Healthy lifestyle
  topic: keywords
subject: Protocol development
  topic: keywords
subject: Lifestyle promotion
  topic: keywords
subject: Eating behavior regulation
  topic: keywords
creator: Sedigheh Zamani
creator: Mahbod Shahpouri Arani
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Sedigheh Zamani (Corresponding Author); Mahbod Shahpouri Arani (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Modeling Premature Ejaculation Disorder Based on Body Image with the Mediating Role of Attachment and Narcissism
type: item
description: The present study aimed to model premature ejaculation disorder based on body image with the mediating role of attachment and narcissism. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all married men in Tehran in 2024, from whom 250 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (Symonds et al., 2007), the Body Image Questionnaire (Fisher, 1970), the Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, 1996), and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Ames et al., 2006). Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. The findings indicated that the body image had a significant direct effect on premature ejaculation. In addition, body image had a significant indirect effect on premature ejaculation through avoidant attachment style (p < 0.001). However, narcissism did not show a significant effect. The results suggest that premature ejaculation disorder is not merely a biological phenomenon but is also influenced by psychological factors related to body perception, attachment patterns, and personality traits. Enhancing positive body image and modifying maladaptive attachment styles may be effective components in psychological interventions for this disorder.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: premature ejaculation
  topic: keywords
subject: body image
  topic: keywords
subject: attachment
  topic: keywords
subject: narcissism
  topic: keywords
creator: Hamideh Zahmati
creator: Nader Monirpoor
creator: Mohammad Ali Besharat
creator: Hamidreza Hassanabadi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Hamideh Zahmati, Nader Monirpoor, Mohammad Ali Besharat, Hamidreza Hassanabadi (Author)
date: 2026-01-20
publication date: 2026-01-20
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavioral Group Counseling and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Emotional Styles in Women on the Verge of Divorce
type: item
description: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of group-based cognitive–behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on emotional styles in women on the verge of divorce. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up assessments, including a control group. The statistical population consisted of women seeking divorce who referred to counseling centers in District 5 of Tehran during the second half of 2024. Using voluntary sampling, 45 participants were selected and randomly assigned to a cognitive–behavioral therapy group, an acceptance and commitment therapy group, or a control group, with 15 participants in each group. The interventions were delivered in 12 group sessions. Emotional styles were assessed using the Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire, measuring positive emotion expression, negative emotion expression, intimacy expression, and overall emotional styles. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and Tukey post-hoc tests. Inferential analyses indicated a significant main effect of time for both intervention groups, with large effect sizes, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Both cognitive–behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy led to significant improvements in overall emotional styles, including increased positive emotion and intimacy expression and decreased negative emotion expression from pretest to posttest. Tukey post-hoc comparisons revealed that acceptance and commitment therapy produced significantly greater improvements than cognitive–behavioral therapy at posttest. Although a slight reduction in treatment effects was observed at the two-month follow-up, the improvements in both intervention groups remained statistically significant compared to baseline levels. The findings suggest that both cognitive–behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are effective i…
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: group counseling
  topic: keywords
subject: cognitive–behavioral therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: acceptance and commitment therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: emotional styles
  topic: keywords
subject: divorce
  topic: keywords
creator: Fariba Hamzeh
creator: Azam Fattahi Andabil
creator: Jamshid Jarareh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fariba Hamzeh (Author); Azam Fattahi Andabil (Corresponding Author); Jamshid Jarareh (Author)
date: 2026-01-10
publication date: 2026-01-10
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Prediction of Burnout Among Caregivers in Elderly Care Centers Based on Psychological Capital and Empathy: The Mediating Role of Caregiving Burden
type: item
description: The aim of the present study was to examine the fit of a structural model for predicting burnout among caregivers in elderly care centers based on psychological capital and empathy, with the mediating role of caregiving burden. The statistical population consisted of all caregivers employed in elderly care centers located in the city of Karaj in 2025 who had more than five months of experience in caring for older adults. A non-random, voluntary sampling method was used, and due to adequate access to the target population, a relatively large sample size (N = 200) was selected to ensure greater precision in structural equation modeling analyses. In addition, according to Kline (2011), in structural equation modeling, the sample size should be at least five to ten times the number of observed variables. The research method was correlational using structural equation modeling. Data were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach, 1985), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire developed by Luthans et al. (2007), the Empathy Quotient Questionnaire by Baron-Cohen (2004), and the Caregiver Burden Questionnaire by Novak and Guest (1989). Data analysis was conducted using the structural equation modeling (SEM) statistical approach. The results indicated that the indirect path coefficient between psychological capital and burnout (β = −0.238, p = 0.010), on the one hand, and the indirect path coefficient between empathy and burnout (β = −0.100, p = 0.003), on the other hand, were both negative and statistically significant. These findings indicate that caregiving burden significantly and negatively mediates the relationship between psychological capital and empathy with burnout among caregivers in elderly care centers.
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: burnout
  topic: keywords
subject: caregivers
  topic: keywords
subject: older adults
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological capital
  topic: keywords
subject: empathy
  topic: keywords
subject: caregiving burden
  topic: keywords
creator: Shima Sadat Musavi Mirkalaiee
creator: Nastern Sharifi
creator: Nasrin Bagheri
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Shima Sadat Musavi Mirkalaiee (Author); Nastern Sharifi (Corresponding Author); Nasrin Bagheri (Author)
date: 2026-01-10
publication date: 2026-01-10
starting page: 1
ending page: 12

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy on Distress Tolerance in Maladjusted Couples
type: item
description: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) on distress tolerance in maladjusted couples. This applied research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all couples who referred to psychology clinics in District 2 of Tehran during the first half of 2025. A sample of 45 couples was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: schema therapy, cognitive–behavioral therapy, and control. Following the withdrawal of one couple from the cognitive–behavioral therapy group, data analysis was conducted on 44 couples. Research instruments included the Emotional Distress Tolerance Questionnaire, which was administered at three stages: pretest, posttest, and a two-month follow-up. The schema therapy group received ten intervention sessions based on Young’s model, including identification of maladaptive schemas, coping styles, and emotional restructuring techniques (Young, 2003). The cognitive–behavioral therapy group participated in ten sessions focusing on communication skills training, cognitive restructuring, stress management, and modification of dysfunctional patterns (Beck, 2011). No intervention was implemented for the control group. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results indicated that both interventions significantly improved couples’ distress tolerance; however, schema therapy demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness than cognitive–behavioral therapy, and its effects remained more stable at the follow-up stage. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the deeper, emotion-focused, and core-level interventions characteristic of schema therapy play a more substantial role in enhancing distress tolerance among maladjusted couples.
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: Schema therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Cognitive–behavioral therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Distress tolerance
  topic: keywords
subject: Maladjusted couples
  topic: keywords
creator: Fatemeh Saroukhani
creator: Abdollah Shafiabadi
creator: Sima Ghodrati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fatemeh Saroukhani (Author); Abdollah Shafiabadi (Corresponding Author); Sima Ghodrati (Author)
date: 2026-01-30
publication date: 2026-01-30
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Compassion-Based Therapy and Mentalization-Based Interventions on Perceived Stress and Psychological Well-Being in Workers with Job Burnout
type: item
description: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a compassion-based intervention and a mentalization-based intervention on perceived stress and psychological well-being in workers experiencing job burnout. This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population included all workers with job burnout at Mansour Industry Factory in Falavarjan County in 2024. From this population, 60 participants were selected using purposive sampling and then randomly assigned to three groups of 20 participants each (two experimental groups and one control group). Data collection instruments included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach, 1981), the Perceived Stress Scale developed by Cohen and Kamarck (1983), and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (Ryff, 1995). The first experimental group received mentalization-based training, and the second experimental group received a compassion-based intervention, each delivered in 12 sessions of 90 minutes, while the control group was placed on a waitlist. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests. The results indicated that both interventions had a significant effect on perceived stress and psychological well-being, and the stability of these effects was maintained during the follow-up period (p < .05). Moreover, the findings showed that the compassion-based intervention was more effective than the mentalization-based intervention in reducing perceived stress and enhancing psychological well-being (p < .05). Accordingly, occupational and organizational counselors can utilize compassion-based and mentalization-based interventions to promote workers’ mental health and organizational performance.
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Perceived stress
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological well-being, job burnout
  topic: keywords
subject: compassion-based intervention
  topic: keywords
subject: mentalization-based intervention
  topic: keywords
creator: Marzieh Mahmoudi Baram
creator: Mohammad Ghasemi Pirbaluti
creator: Tayyebeh Sharifi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Marzieh Mahmoudi Baram (Author); Mohammad Ghasemi Pirbaluti (Corresponding Author); Tayyebeh Sharifi (Author)
date: 2026-01-10
publication date: 2026-01-10
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

The Effect of Organizational Happiness on Organizational Reputation among Employees of Selected Martial Arts Federations: The Mediating Role of Resilience
type: item
description: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of organizational happiness on organizational reputation among employees of selected martial arts federations, with the mediating role of resilience. The present study was descriptive–correlational in nature, and the data were collected in the field through questionnaires using a survey method. The statistical population consisted of all employees of the martial arts, judo, wushu, karate, and taekwondo federations, totaling 337 individuals, from whom 175 participants were selected as the statistical sample using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Organizational Happiness Questionnaire by Krolf (2007), the Organizational Reputation Questionnaire by Fombrun and Van Riel (2003), and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Data analysis was conducted using correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation modeling. All statistical analyses were performed using PLS and SPSS software. The results showed that organizational happiness has a significant effect on organizational reputation and resilience among employees of the selected martial arts federations, such that 27.98% of the variance in organizational reputation and 25% of the variance in resilience were explained by organizational happiness. In addition, resilience had a significant effect on organizational reputation, explaining 8.76% of its variance. The results of the Sobel test also indicated that resilience plays a mediating role in the relationship between organizational happiness and organizational reputation among employees of the selected martial arts federations. Therefore, given the importance of organizational happiness and resilience in enhancing employees’ organizational reputation in martial arts federations, it is recommended that managers and officials of these federations design and implement regular and targeted programs to promote happiness in the workplace.
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: organizational reputation
  topic: keywords
subject: selected martial arts federations
  topic: keywords
subject: organizational vitality
  topic: keywords
creator: Ali Seifi
creator: Mohammad Nasiri
creator: Masoud Imanzadeh
creator: Mehrdad Moharramzadeh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Seifi (Author); Mohammad Nasiri (Corresponding Author); Masoud Imanzadeh, Mehrdad Moharramzadeh (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

The Relationship Between Anger Management and Integrative Self-Knowledge with the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in Nurses
type: item
description: The aim of the present study was to propose a causal model of anger management based on integrative self-knowledge with the mediating role of self-compassion in nurses. The present research employed a descriptive (correlational) design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all nurses working in the city of Qom, totaling at least 3,000 individuals. The sample included 200 nurses who were selected through purposive sampling based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research sample responded to the Spielberger Anger Questionnaire (Spielberger, 2003), the Integrative Self-Knowledge Scale developed by Ghorbani et al. (2008), and the Self-Compassion Scale by Neff (2003). Pearson correlation analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling were used. The results indicated that integrative self-knowledge had a positive and significant effect on anger management among nurses, accounting for 31 percent of the variance in anger management through a direct and significant path (P ≤ .05). Self-compassion demonstrated a positive and significant effect on the relationship between anger management and integrative self-knowledge and played a significant mediating role between anger management and mindfulness (P ≤ .05). Based on the results, it can be concluded that anger management in nurses—given their direct involvement with patients’ lives—is a critical and vital issue. By emphasizing factors such as self-compassion and integrative self-knowledge, it is possible to improve anger management in nurses.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: category
subject: anger management
  topic: keywords
subject: integrative self-knowledge
  topic: keywords
subject: self-compassion
  topic: keywords
subject: nurses
  topic: keywords
creator: Niloofar Alimohammadi
creator: Sagha Afrakhteh
creator: Ferrshteh Afkari
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Niloofar Alimohammadi (Author); Sagha Afrakhteh (Corresponding Author); Ferrshteh Afkari (Author)
date: 2025-01-20
publication date: 2025-01-20
starting page: 1
ending page: 12

Exploring the Components of Subjective Well-Being Among Individuals Living in Urban Stressful Environments
type: item
description: The aim of this study was to explore the psychological, social, and environmental components of subjective well-being among individuals residing in stressful urban environments in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study employed an exploratory design to capture participants’ lived experiences of well-being in the context of urban stress. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 28 adults living in metropolitan and mid-sized urban areas across the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached, focusing on coping strategies, sources of support, and perceptions of well-being. Each interview lasted between 45 and 70 minutes, was audio-recorded with consent, and subsequently transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo 14 software. Reflexive memoing and iterative coding were employed to ensure rigor, and Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach guided the analytical process. Analysis revealed three overarching themes shaping subjective well-being: (1) psychological and emotional well-being, which included coping with stress, resilience, emotional regulation, and challenges such as anxiety and burnout; (2) social and relational well-being, encompassing family support, friendships, workplace relations, and community belonging, alongside the negative impact of social isolation; and (3) environmental and lifestyle well-being, which included access to green spaces, urban infrastructure, financial stability, safety, cultural participation, and technology use. Participants emphasized the protective role of resilience, social support, and access to restorative environments, while highlighting financial insecurity, social isolation, and digital overuse as key threats to well-being. Subjective well-being in urban stressful environments is a multidimensional construct shaped by individual coping strategies, social support systems, and environmental conditions. Strengthening resilien…
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Subjective well-being
  topic: keywords
subject: urban stress
  topic: keywords
subject: coping strategies
  topic: keywords
subject: social support
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: United Kingdom
  topic: keywords
creator: Jiantang Yang
creator: Parichehr Mehdiabadi
creator: Anni Kröger
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Jiantang Yang, Parichehr Mehdiabadi , Anni Kröger (Author)
date: 2025-11-29
publication date: 2025-11-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Exploring the Role of Teacher Scaffolding in Fostering Independent Learning
type: item
description: This study aimed to explore how teacher scaffolding practices contribute to the development of independent learning among students in Malaysia. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 25 teachers from secondary schools and higher education institutions across Malaysia. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring diversity in subject areas and teaching experience. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews, lasting 45–60 minutes, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo 14 software. Coding followed an iterative process to identify open codes, subthemes, and overarching themes. Trustworthiness was enhanced through peer debriefing and reflective memoing. Four major themes emerged from the analysis. First, teachers reported diverse instructional scaffolding strategies, including guided questioning, modeling, chunking, feedback, gradual release of responsibility, and differentiated support. Second, scaffolding was found to promote learner autonomy by fostering reflection, decision-making, self-regulation, peer collaboration, and intrinsic motivation. Third, teachers emphasized socio-emotional support such as building trust, encouragement, creating safe learning climates, empowering confidence, addressing anxiety, and cultural sensitivity as integral to fostering independence. Finally, participants identified challenges and conditions of scaffolding, including time constraints, large class sizes, variability in student readiness, limited resources, exam pressures, and sustainability of independence. Collectively, these findings illustrate scaffolding as a multidimensional process combining cognitive, motivational, and socio-emotional dimensions. The study demonstrates that teacher scaffolding plays a pivotal role in facilitating independent learning by integrating instructional, motivational, and relational strategies. However…
subject: Educational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Educational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Scaffolding
  topic: keywords
subject: Independent Learning
  topic: keywords
subject: Zone of Proximal Development
  topic: keywords
subject: Teacher Support
  topic: keywords
subject: Learner Autonomy
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative Research
  topic: keywords
subject: Malaysia
  topic: keywords
creator: Syarifah Maisarah
creator: Saeid Motevalli
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Syarifah Maisarah (Corresponding Author); Saeid Motevalli (Author)
date: 2025-11-29
publication date: 2025-11-29

Exploring the Dimensions of Motivation in Stroke Survivors During Physical Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Inquiry
type: item
description: The objective of this study was to explore the dimensions of motivation in stroke survivors during physical rehabilitation, focusing on the personal, social, and environmental factors that shape engagement and recovery. This qualitative study employed an exploratory design to investigate motivational experiences of stroke survivors. Twenty participants (11 men and 9 women, aged 38–72) were recruited purposively from rehabilitation centers across the United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, each lasting 45–75 minutes, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo 14 software. Coding was carried out iteratively, with two researchers independently coding transcripts to ensure reliability, followed by consensus meetings to finalize themes. Three overarching themes emerged from the data. The first, personal and psychological factors, encompassed subthemes such as sense of purpose, emotional resilience, self-efficacy, coping strategies, identity reconstruction, and cognitive engagement. The second, social and relational support, included family encouragement, peer interaction, professional support, community involvement, and social recognition. The third, rehabilitation environment and external influences, comprised therapeutic setting, individualized programs, technological aids, physical and financial barriers, healthcare policies, reward systems, and environmental stimuli. Participants described motivation as a dynamic construct shaped by internal beliefs, relational networks, and systemic conditions, with direct quotations illustrating these lived experiences. The findings demonstrate that motivation in stroke rehabilitation is multidimensional, integrating psychological, social, and environmental domains. Recognizing and addressing these interconnected factors can enhance rehabilitation engagement, optimize functional outcom…
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Stroke rehabilitation
  topic: keywords
subject: Motivation
  topic: keywords
subject: Qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: Patient engagement
  topic: keywords
subject: Social support
  topic: keywords
subject: Thematic analysis
  topic: keywords
creator: Stephanie Flores Carrera
creator: Seyed Amir Saadati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Stephanie Flores Carrera (Author); Seyed Amir Saadati (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-11-29
publication date: 2025-11-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Identifying Coping Strategies in Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Qualitative Inquiry
type: item
description: This study aimed to explore and identify coping strategies employed by parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing on emotional, social, practical, and resilience-based dimensions of adaptation. A qualitative research design was adopted, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 23 parents of children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders residing in Canada. Participants were recruited purposively through support groups, clinical networks, and community organizations. Interviews, lasting between 45 and 90 minutes, were conducted either face-to-face or online, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. NVivo 14 software supported data organization and thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Credibility and trustworthiness were enhanced through peer debriefing, independent coding, reflexive memoing, and the use of thick description. Analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) Emotional coping—including stress management, emotional expression, reframing, self-compassion, and hope maintenance; (2) Social support strategies—such as peer support, family involvement, professional guidance, online communities, and workplace flexibility; (3) Practical coping—involving structured routines, resource utilization, problem-solving, and information-seeking behaviors; and (4) Personal growth and resilience—comprising identity transformation, spiritual coping, meaning-making, empowerment through knowledge, and self-care practices. Illustrative quotations from participants highlighted how coping strategies were dynamically employed to navigate ongoing challenges and sustain parental well-being. Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders adopt multifaceted coping strategies that extend beyond stress relief to encompass resilience-building and personal growth. These findings underscore the importance of designing culturally and contextually relevant in…
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Neurodevelopmental disorders
  topic: keywords
subject: coping strategies
  topic: keywords
subject: parental adaptation
  topic: keywords
subject: qualitative research
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: Canada
  topic: keywords
creator: James Ma
creator: Seyed Alireza Saadati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 James Ma (Author); Seyed Alireza Saadati (Corresponding Author)
date: 2025-11-29
publication date: 2025-11-29
starting page: 1
ending page: 9

Exploring the Components of Psychological Safety in Multicultural Work Teams
type: item
description: This study aimed to explore and identify the core components of psychological safety as experienced and constructed in multicultural work teams. A qualitative research design was adopted to capture the lived experiences of employees working in culturally diverse teams. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants employed in multicultural organizations across Canada. Purposive sampling ensured diversity in cultural background, professional roles, and tenure. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. NVivo 14 software supported the process of thematic analysis, enabling systematic coding and categorization of data. Strategies including member checks, peer debriefing, and audit trails were employed to enhance credibility, dependability, and confirmability. The analysis revealed four overarching themes: (1) interpersonal trust and respect, encompassing mutual respect, fairness, empathy, reliability, and inclusive communication; (2) inclusive leadership practices, highlighting leader support, participative decision-making, cultural sensitivity, conflict mediation, recognition, and role modeling; (3) effective communication climate, including clarity, open feedback channels, language inclusivity, management of misunderstandings, and collaboration; and (4) cultural integration and learning, comprising valuing diversity, cross-cultural learning, reducing stereotypes, adaptability, team cohesion, and mutual growth. Illustrative quotations from participants emphasized how these components collectively fostered an environment of safety, openness, and belonging in multicultural work teams. The study demonstrates that psychological safety in multicultural teams is a multidimensional construct shaped by interpersonal, leadership, communicative, and cultural processes. By uncovering the specific components that underpin safety, this research advances theoretical understanding while …
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Psychological safety
  topic: keywords
subject: Multicultural teams
  topic: keywords
subject: Inclusive leadership
  topic: keywords
subject: Communication climate
  topic: keywords
subject: Cultural integration
  topic: keywords
creator: Molly Schwarzenberger
creator: Derek Péloquin
creator: Jessica Brassard
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Molly Schwarzenberger , Derek Péloquin , Jessica Brassard (Author)
date: 2025-11-28
publication date: 2025-11-28
starting page: 1
ending page: 10

Effectiveness of Wise Parenting Training on Mothers’ Parenting Stress and Adolescents’ Resilience
type: item
description: This study was conducted with the aim of examining the effectiveness of wise parenting training on mothers’ parenting stress and the resilience of their adolescents. The research method was quasi-experimental, employing a pretest–posttest design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population consisted of all mothers with adolescent children, from whom, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 mothers with adolescents—along with their 30 adolescent daughters—were selected through purposive sampling. They were then randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (each group consisting of 15 mothers and their adolescents). Only the mothers received direct parenting training, while all participants, including the mothers and their adolescents, were assessed at three stages of the study using the research instruments. The research instruments included the Parenting Stress Index developed by Abidin (1990) for the mothers and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale developed in 2003 for the adolescents. While members of the control group were placed on a waiting list, mothers in the experimental groups received wise parenting training over eight 90-minute sessions. The data were analyzed at two levels: descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (repeated measures analysis of variance). The results indicated that both methods had equally significant effects on the variables related to parents and adolescents in this study. Therefore, based on these findings, it can be concluded that the wise parenting training package can be effective in improving parenting stress and adolescents’ resilience.
subject: Developmental Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Educational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Developmental Psychology
  topic: category
subject: wise parenting
  topic: keywords
subject: parenting stress
  topic: keywords
subject: resilience
  topic: keywords
subject: adolescent
  topic: keywords
creator: Razieh Rabiee
creator: Zahra Yousefi
creator: Mansoureh Bahramipourisfahani
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Razieh Rabiee (Author); Zahra Yousefi (Corresponding Author); Mansoureh Bahramipourisfahani (Author)
date: 2025-11-20
publication date: 2025-11-20
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Working Memory in Individuals with Primary Insomnia
type: item
description: Primary insomnia is one of the common disorders that has a significant negative impact on cognitive functioning, including working memory. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on working memory in individuals with primary insomnia. A total of 48 participants (16 in each group) were selected from among individuals with primary insomnia through convenience sampling while observing the inclusion criteria. They were then randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. The research design was a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a one-month follow-up. The data collection instrument was the N-Back Test (1958). Mixed ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc test, and SPSS (Version 26) were used for data analysis. The results indicated that both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy were effective in improving working memory in individuals with primary insomnia; however, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two treatments. The findings of this study showed that both therapeutic approaches were effective in improving working memory. Nevertheless, future studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are required to examine the stability of treatment effects and enhance the generalizability of the results.
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Rehabilitation Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  topic: keywords
subject: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  topic: keywords
subject: working memory
  topic: keywords
subject: primary insomnia
  topic: keywords
creator: Behnoush Shariati
creator: Mehrdad Sabet
creator: Tahereh Ranjbaripour
creator: Sheida Sodagar
creator: Fatemeh Mohammadi Shirmahaleh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Behnoush Shariati (Author); Mehrdad Sabet (Corresponding Author); Tahereh Ranjbaripour , Sheida Sodagar, Fatemeh Mohammadi Shirmahaleh (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 12

Effectiveness and Comparison of Transdiagnostic Therapy and Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy on Positive Meta-Emotions in Pregnant Women
type: item
description: This study examined and compared the effectiveness of transdiagnostic therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy on positive meta-emotions in pregnant women. The research employed an experimental design with pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up measurements, along with a control group. The statistical population consisted of pregnant women who visited District 14 of Tehran between February 2025 and April 2025. A sample of 45 participants (15 in each group: transdiagnostic therapy, cognitive–behavioral therapy, and control) was selected using convenience and random sampling. The interventions consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions of transdiagnostic therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy. The research instrument was the Meta-Emotion Scale (Mitmansgruber, 2009). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA (with Greenhouse–Geisser correction due to violation of Mauchly’s test of sphericity), Shapiro–Wilk test, Levene’s test, and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS-27. Statistical assumptions (normality and homogeneity of variances) were confirmed. Both interventions produced significant effects on increasing positive meta-emotions compared to the control group, and follow-up results indicated stability of therapeutic effects. The Bonferroni test confirmed posttest and follow-up differences between the experimental groups and the control group (p < .05), although no significant difference was observed between transdiagnostic therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy (p < .05). The effect of time was significant for all three variables (p < .001). The findings indicated that both transdiagnostic therapy and cognitive–behavioral therapy are effective and durable in improving positive meta-emotions, with neither demonstrating superiority over the other. These findings highlight the applicability of both approaches in pregnancy-related interventions. It is recommended that future studies focus on long-term follow-up and larger sample sizes.
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Transdiagnostic therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: cognitive–behavioral therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: positive meta-emotions
  topic: keywords
subject: pregnant women.
  topic: keywords
creator: Masoumeh Vatandoost
creator: Reza Khakpour
creator: Rahim Davari
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Masoumeh Vatandoost (Author); Reza Khakpour (Corresponding Author); Rahim Davari (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Effectiveness of Active Music Therapy on Echolalia and Pitch Frequency in Level-One Autism Spectrum Disorder Children
type: item
description: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an active music therapy protocol on reducing echolalia and improving pitch frequency among children with Level-One Autism Spectrum Disorder. This semi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Twenty-two children aged 4–7 years with Level-One ASD were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an active music therapy group or a control group. The intervention was delivered across eight weeks using structured rhythmic, vocal, and auditory–motor activities. Echolalia was assessed using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (Echolalia subscale), and pitch-related prosodic features were analyzed using Praat acoustic software. Data were collected across pretest, posttest, and follow-up phases. Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant time × group interaction for pitch frequency, indicating greater improvement in the active music therapy group compared with controls across posttest and follow-up (p < .05). The intervention group showed a marked increase in pitch frequency from pretest to follow-up, while the control group demonstrated no meaningful change. Echolalia scores exhibited a significant reduction in the experimental group compared with the control group over time (p < .05), confirming the therapeutic effect of rhythmic–vocal engagement. Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons further indicated that the most substantial improvements occurred between pretest and follow-up in the therapy group, with effect sizes in the moderate-to-large range. Active music therapy produced significant improvements in prosodic features—particularly pitch frequency—and reductions in echolalia among Level-One ASD children, with gains maintained over time. The findings highlight the value of rhythmic, auditory–motor, and vocal synchronization activities for enhancing speec…
subject: Individuals With Special Needs
  topic: section
subject: Individuals With Special Needs
  topic: category
subject: Active music therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Echolalia
  topic: keywords
subject: Pitch frequency
  topic: keywords
subject: Autism Spectrum Disorder
  topic: keywords
subject: Prosody
  topic: keywords
subject: Acoustic analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Rhythmic intervention
  topic: keywords
creator: Fahimeh Ahmadizade
creator: Said Ali mohammad Mousavi
creator: Narges Babakhani
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fahimeh Ahmadizade (Author); Said Ali mohammad Mousavi (Corresponding Author); Narges Babakhani (Author)
date: 2025-11-16
publication date: 2025-11-16
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Studying Divorced Couples’ Lived Experiences of Social and Psychological Factors Influencing Divorce to Propose an Appropriate Conceptual Model
type: item
description: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of divorced couples to identify the underlying social and psychological factors influencing divorce and to propose an integrative conceptual model explaining its process and outcomes. The research adopted a qualitative design using the grounded theory approach based on Strauss and Corbin’s systematic method (2008). The statistical population comprised divorced couples residing in Shiraz, Iran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling according to specific inclusion criteria: at least two months and a maximum of five years since divorce, absence of severe physical illness as the main cause of divorce, and willingness to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved with ten couples. Data were analyzed using three levels of coding—open, axial, and selective—to identify causal, contextual, intervening, strategic, and consequential components of the divorce process. Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) criteria of credibility, transferability, confirmability, and dependability were applied to ensure trustworthiness. The results revealed that divorce is not an instantaneous or single-cause event but a gradual, multifactorial, and structured process shaped by the interplay of individual, relational, and sociocultural dynamics. Causal factors included dysfunctional family backgrounds, patriarchal gender beliefs, emotional immaturity, and poor communication. Contextual conditions, such as cultural taboos, social pressure for endurance, and lack of premarital education, intensified the process. Intervening variables, including personality traits, economic dependence, and presence of children, acted as catalysts or inhibitors. Strategies like silence, avoidance, and concealment deepened marital alienation. Consequences spanned psychological distress, social isolation, and in rare cases, identity reconstruction. Divorce in Iranian society represents a multidimensional psychos…
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: lived experience
  topic: keywords
subject: divorce
  topic: keywords
subject: social factors
  topic: keywords
subject: psychological factors
  topic: keywords
subject: conceptual model
  topic: keywords
creator: Mitra Kerdegar
creator: Majid Barzegar
creator: Hossein Baghooli
creator: Maryam Kouroshnia
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Mitra Kerdegar (Author); Majid Barzegar (Corresponding Author); Hossein Baghooli , Maryam Kouroshnia (Author)
date: 2026-10-01
publication date: 2026-10-01

The Effect of the “Building a Lasting Connection (BLC)” Program on Improving Communication and Increasing Intimacy in Couples About to Marry
type: item
description: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Building a Lasting Connection (BLC) program on improving communication patterns and increasing intimacy among couples about to marry. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of all engaged couples who attended Pars Ravan, Khorshid Farda, and Armaghan-e Zendegi Counseling Centers in Karaj during the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. Using convenience sampling, 40 participants (20 couples) were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group, which received the six-session Building a Lasting Connection (BLC) intervention, and a control group that received no treatment. Data were collected using the Couple Intimacy Questionnaire (Vonden Broeck & Bertman, 1995) and the Couple Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Christensen & Salaway, 1984). Data analysis was conducted using multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures (MANOVA) via SPSS version 23. The results revealed that the BLC program significantly increased intimacy and mutual constructive communication while decreasing mutual avoidance and demand/withdraw communication styles in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < .05). Additionally, no significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up scores, indicating that the observed improvements were stable over time. The between-group and within-group analyses showed significant interaction effects of time and group on intimacy and communication variables, confirming the effectiveness and persistence of the intervention’s impact. The findings demonstrate that the Building a Lasting Connection (BLC) program is an effective intervention for enhancing intimacy and improving communication among premarital couples.
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Clinical Psychology
  topic: category
subject: intimacy
  topic: keywords
subject: communication improvement
  topic: keywords
subject: Building a Lasting Connection (BLC)
  topic: keywords
creator: Shokofe Sadat Dashti Khavidaki
creator: Mohsen Rasouli
creator: Jamshid Jarareh
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Shokofe Sadat Dashti Khavidaki (Author); Mohsen Rasouli (Corresponding Author); Jamshid Jarareh (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

The Effectiveness of Couple Therapy Based on Reality Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy on Sexual Intimacy in Betrayed Couples
type: item
description: The present study aimed to determine the difference in the effectiveness of couple therapy based on reality therapy and emotion-focused therapy on sexual intimacy in betrayed couples across three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. This applied study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test and a control group. The statistical population included all couples who had experienced marital infidelity and referred to counseling centers in Sari City in 2023. From this population, 64 participants were selected through convenience sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (22 participants in the reality therapy group, 22 participants in the emotion-focused therapy group, and 20 participants in the control group). Data were collected using the Sexual Intimacy Questionnaire developed by Bagarozi (2001) in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. During the post-test stage, one couple from the reality therapy group and one couple from the emotion-focused therapy group withdrew, leaving data from 60 participants for analysis. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) via the SPSS-20 statistical software. The results revealed a significant difference between the effectiveness of reality therapy-based couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy on sexual intimacy among betrayed couples across the three stages. Both approaches were more effective than the control group; however, emotion-focused couple therapy demonstrated the greatest impact and durability in improving sexual intimacy. Furthermore, significant changes from pre-test to post-test indicated the effectiveness of the interventions, while the sustained changes from post-test to follow-up reflected the relative stability of the results, particularly in the emotion-focused therapy group.
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: Reality Therapy-Based Couple Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: Sexual Intimacy
  topic: keywords
subject: Betrayed Couples
  topic: keywords
creator: Fahimeh Akbari
creator: Masoumeh Azmoodeh
creator: Seyed Davoud Hoseini Nasab
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Fahimeh Akbari , Masoumeh Azmoodeh, Seyed Davoud Hoseini Nasab (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy and Mentalization-Based Therapy on Rejection Sensitivity in Individuals with Borderline Personality Structure
type: item
description: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic therapy (STPT) and mentalization-based therapy (MBT) in reducing rejection sensitivity among individuals with borderline personality structure. The research utilized an applied, semi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, control group, and a two-month follow-up. The study population comprised individuals diagnosed with borderline personality structure who attended psychotherapy clinics in western Tehran during the second half of 2024. A total of 45 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned into three groups of fifteen after matching for age and gender. The two experimental groups received nine 90-minute sessions of STPT or MBT, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. The Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Downey & Feldman, 1996) was administered at three stages—pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), repeated-measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests. The results showed a significant main effect of time and a significant time × group interaction on rejection sensitivity (p < 0.001), confirming that both STPT and MBT led to meaningful reductions in rejection sensitivity over time. Post hoc comparisons indicated that both intervention groups had significantly lower post-test and follow-up scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was found between the two treatment groups (p > 0.05). These therapeutic effects remained stable during the follow-up period, indicating sustained improvement. The comparable efficacy of the two approaches suggests that both emotional processing through psychodynamic mechanisms and reflective functioning through mentalization play crucial roles in decreasing interpersonal vulnerability and emotional reactivity to perceived rejection.
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: section
subject: Health Psychology
  topic: category
subject: Borderline personality structure
  topic: keywords
subject: short-term psychodynamic therapy
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subject: mentalization-based therapy
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subject: rejection sensitivity
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creator: Nasibeh Majdi
creator: Mahboobe Taher
creator: Narges Haj Aboutalebi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Nasibeh Majdi (Author); Mahboobe Taher (Corresponding Author); Narges Haj Aboutalebi (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 11

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)–Based Intervention on Job Burnout and Quality of Care among Psychiatric Ward Nurses
type: item
description: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in reducing job burnout among psychiatric ward nurses and improving the quality of nursing care as perceived by patients. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was applied among 40 nurses working in the psychiatric ward of Farabi Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. After screening with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), nurses with burnout scores above average were purposively selected and randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups. The intervention group participated in eight 90-minute ACT sessions based on the standardized protocol (Hayes et al., 2012). Patient-perceived quality of care was measured using the Caring Behaviors Inventory (CBI), with five patients evaluating each nurse at baseline, immediate posttest, and one-month follow-up (total n = 200). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), paired t-tests, and effect size (Cohen’s d). ACT significantly reduced total burnout scores in the intervention group compared to controls (pretest M = 65.3 ± 8.5 to immediate posttest M = 48.7 ± 7.9; p < .001; Cohen’s d = 1.85). Emotional exhaustion showed the largest reduction (d = 2.50), followed by depersonalization (d = 2.00) and reduced personal accomplishment (p = .002; d = 0.60). In the control group, no meaningful changes occurred (p > .05). Patient-reported care quality improved significantly in all dimensions in the intervention group, including technical skill, communication, empathy, and responsiveness (p < .001; d ranging from 1.65 to 1.90), with improvements sustained at one-month follow-up. Group-based ACT effectively alleviates burnout and enhances patient-perceived care quality among psychiatric nurses. This approach is practical, sustainable, and beneficial for improving both staff well-being and service delivery in mental health settings.
subject: Articles
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  topic: keywords
subject: job burnout
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subject: psychiatric nursing
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subject: quality of care
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subject: psychological flexibility
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creator: Fariba Khakzar
creator: Maryam Faghih
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Fariba Khakzar (Corresponding Author); Maryam Faghih (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
date: 2024-06-01
publication date: 2024-06-01
starting page: 240
ending page: 249

Comparison of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation, Emotional Literacy, and Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes in Married Female Students with Emotional Divorce Experience and Other Married Female Students
type: item
description: Emotional divorce is a condition in which spouses, despite living together, experience no emotional exchange or feelings toward each other. This phenomenon is considered one of the fundamental causes of social and familial dysfunctions. The present study aimed to examine and compare difficulty in emotion regulation, emotional literacy, and sexual knowledge and attitudes among married female students who have experienced emotional divorce and other married female students. This research employed a causal–comparative design. The statistical population included all married students of Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch, during the 2024–2025 academic year. The population size was 8,543 individuals. The sample consisted of 90 students with emotional divorce experience and 90 students without such experience, selected through convenience sampling. The instruments used included the Gottman Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (2008), the Iranian Family Psychological Functioning Scale (2012), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale by Gratz (2004), and the Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale by Farjina et al. (2014). Data were analyzed at two levels: descriptive statistics (dispersion indices) and inferential statistics (univariate and multivariate analysis of variance) using SPSS version 26. The results indicated that students with emotional divorce experience had greater difficulty in emotion regulation and lower levels of emotional literacy as well as sexual knowledge and attitudes (p < .05). Difficulty in emotion regulation and deficiencies in emotional literacy and sexual knowledge are significant contributing factors to emotional divorce. Providing comprehensive educational and psychological interventions focused on emotion regulation, emotional literacy, and sexual education can improve marital relationship quality and reduce the consequences of emotional divorce.
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: section
subject: Family and Couple Therapy
  topic: category
subject: emotional divorce
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subject: sexual knowledge and attitudes
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subject: difficulty in emotion regulation
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subject: emotional literacy
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creator: Saba Shirinpour
creator: Zeinab Amini
creator: Asal Hemati
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Saba Shirinpour (Corresponding Author); Zeinab Amini , Asal Hemati (Author)
date: 2026-01-01
publication date: 2026-01-01
starting page: 1
ending page: 12

The Relationship Between Social Comparison Processes and Well-Being in Digital Environments
type: item
description: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social comparison processes and multiple dimensions of well-being within digital environments among adults. This study employed a cross-sectional correlational design and was conducted among adult residents of Tehran who reported regular engagement with digital environments, particularly social media platforms. Participants were recruited through online and offline convenience sampling methods and completed a set of standardized self-report questionnaires administered electronically. The instruments assessed social comparison orientation in digital contexts, positive affect, negative affect, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, along with demographic variables and indicators of digital engagement intensity. Data were screened for statistical assumptions, and analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses, group comparisons, and moderation analysis to examine gender differences in the observed relationships. Inferential analyses revealed significant negative associations between social comparison orientation and positive affect, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, alongside a significant positive association with negative affect. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that social comparison orientation significantly predicted all well-being outcomes even after controlling for demographic variables and intensity of digital use. Group comparison analyses indicated that individuals with high levels of social comparison reported significantly lower well-being and higher negative affect compared to those with low comparison orientation. Moderation analysis further showed that gender significantly moderated these relationships, with stronger negative effects of social comparison on well-being observed among female participants. The findings indicate that social comparison processes play a central role in shapi…
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: section
subject: Occupational and Organizational Counseling
  topic: category
subject: Social comparison; digital environments; well-being; social media; psychological health
  topic: keywords
creator: Seyed Mousa Raeisi
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Seyed Mousa Raeisi (Corresponding Author)
date: 2026-01-20
publication date: 2026-01-20
starting page: 1
ending page: 10