E-ISSN: 3041-8615 Director in Charge: Dr. Seyed Ali Darbani Editor-in-chief: Dr. Shokoh Navabinejad Associate editor: Dr. Nadereh Saadati Executive Director: Maryam Nayebzadeh Owner: Iranian Association for Women's Studies Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Contact Email: psywoman@kmanpub.com /psychowomenjournal@gmail.com Open Access: YES The psychology of woman journal publishes new theories and scientific-research achievements in various areas and is a suitable platform for presenting and transmitting opinions and results obtained about new findings and studies that are raised in relation with women studies. The publication of this journal causes a detailed and valuable acquaintance and recognition of the studies which can show that how women have a great contribution in the society. Therefore, articles that are dedicated to the psychological and social issues of women and are written according to the scientific structure of the journal will be able to be published in this journal. Therefore, experts and scholars can submit their manuscripts for peer-review and publication in this scientific quarterly by becoming a member of the site. The Psychology of Woman Journal is a scientific open peer-reviewed. The aims and scopes of the journal are to publish articles in the field of women and family, with the following priorities: Pathology and providing solutions for women and family issues Examining and presenting new findings in the theoretical fields of women and family issues from a religious perspective Identifying the needs, abilities of women and the fields of their presence during the development of the Islamic system Explaining the role of women in social processes and social psychology Creating and presenting a new paradigm in the field of women in the country Development of research related to women from the perspective of social psychology and sociology Criticizing and examining the views of schools and experts in the field of women and family About the Publisher Publisher: KMAN Publication Inc. Publisher Office: Unit 5‑10825 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 3E3 https://journals.kmanpub.com Email: kmanpu@kmanpub.com Telegram: +1 (647) 656‑4401 | WhatsApp: +1 (437) 429‑3507 Germany Office: Dratelnstrasse, Wohnung A60, 21119 Hamburg, Germany (+4915207720487)
The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Personality Traits with Attitudes Toward Childbearing in Married Women Aged 25–45
Objective: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and personality traits with attitudes toward childbearing in married women aged 25–45. Methods and Materials: This study employed a fundamental, descriptive–correlational design. The statistical population consisted of married women aged 25–45 who referred to psychological clinics and mental health centers in districts 1 to 5 of Tehran. A sample of 222 participants was selected using a convenience sampling method, based on recommended sample sizes for correlational research and considering potential attrition. Data were collected using the Attitudes Toward Fertility and Childbearing Scale (AFCS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and the short form of the Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 at both descriptive and inferential levels, including Pearson correlation coefficients and simultaneous multiple regression analysis to examine relationships and predictive power among variables. Findings: The results indicated that emotional abuse (r = -0.19, p < 0.01) and emotional neglect (r = -0.16, p < 0.05) were significantly and negatively correlated with attitudes toward childbearing, whereas other trauma dimensions showed non-significant relationships. Among personality traits, extraversion (r = 0.26, p < 0.01), openness to experience (r = 0.17, p < 0.01), and agreeableness (r = 0.22, p < 0.01) demonstrated significant positive correlations with attitudes toward childbearing. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that extraversion (β = 0.15, p = 0.046) and openness to experience (β = 0.13, p = 0.040) significantly predicted attitudes toward childbearing, while childhood trauma variables did not show significant predictive effects in the presence of personality traits. The overall regression model was statistically significant (F = 5.49, p < 0.01) and explained 11% of the variance in attitudes toward childbearing.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hakime Dastani Hossein Abadi (Author); Samad Shirinzadeh (Corresponding Author); Marzieh Poursalehy , Alireza Mollazadeh (Author)
Predicting Anxiety Sensitivity Based on Fatigue and Occupational Stress Among Female Law Enforcement Employees
Objective: The present study aimed to predict anxiety sensitivity based on fatigue and occupational stress among female law enforcement employees in Tabriz. Methods and Materials: This study employed a descriptive-correlational design with a predictive approach. The statistical population consisted of all female law enforcement employees working in Tabriz in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 230 participants were initially recruited, of whom 212 were included in the final analysis after excluding incomplete questionnaires. Data were collected using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and the Health and Safety Executive Occupational Stress Indicator Tool. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simultaneous multiple regression analysis. Findings: The results showed that fatigue was positively and significantly correlated with anxiety sensitivity (r = .56, p < .01), and occupational stress was also positively and significantly correlated with anxiety sensitivity (r = .49, p < .01). The findings of multiple regression analysis indicated that fatigue and occupational stress jointly predicted anxiety sensitivity significantly (R = .62, R² = .39, F(2, 209) = 66.08, p < .001). Both fatigue (β = .42, p < .001) and occupational stress (β = .31, p < .001) were significant predictors of anxiety sensitivity, with fatigue showing the stronger predictive contribution. Conclusion: The findings suggest that fatigue and occupational stress are significant predictors of anxiety sensitivity among female law enforcement employees in Tabriz. Higher levels of fatigue and job stress were associated with greater fear of anxiety-related sensations, and fatigue emerged as the stronger predictor. These results highlight the importance of developing organizational and psychological interventions aimed at reducing fatigue, managing occupational stress, and promoting mental health among female law enforcement personnel.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hossein Rostami (Corresponding Author)
Causal Forest Estimation of Treatment Heterogeneity: Identifying Subgroups of Women Benefiting Most from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain
Objective: The objective of this study was to apply a causal forest machine learning algorithm to estimate the conditional average treatment effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on pain interference and identify the specific baseline characteristics of women with chronic pain who derive the greatest therapeutic benefit. Methods and Materials: This randomized controlled trial included a sample of N=284adult women (mean age M=51.4years) residing in Spain and suffering from chronic non-malignant pain. Participants were randomly assigned to an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program or a treatment-as-usual control group. Baseline sociodemographic and psychological covariates were assessed using standardized psychometric instruments, including the Brief Pain Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire. To move beyond the traditional Average Treatment Effect (ATE), a causal forest algorithm was utilized to estimate the Conditional Average Treatment Effect (CATE) for pain interference, allowing for the empirical identification of high-benefit and low-benefit patient subgroups based on their multidimensional baseline profiles. Findings: While the standard analysis revealed a statistically significant Average Treatment Effect for pain interference (ΔM=-1.24), the causal forest estimation uncovered substantial treatment heterogeneity, with individual CATEvalues ranging widely from -3.10to +0.45. Variable importance metrics derived from the machine learning model identified baseline anxiety as the strongest predictor of treatment benefit, followed closely by the non-judging of inner experience facet of dispositional mindfulness, and the total duration of the chronic pain condition. Specifically, the high-benefit subgroup—which experienced the most clinically significant reductions in pain interference (τ(x)≈-3.10)—was characterized by elevated baseline anxiety and depression, distinctly lower baseline scores in non-judging mindfulness, and a comparatively shorter history of chronic pain. Conclusion: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is not uniformly effective for all chronic pain patients; rather, it yields the maximum reduction in pain interference specifically among women presenting with high emotional distress, highly judgmental psychological traits, and shorter pain durations, highlighting the critical necessity of precision behavioral medicine.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tiago Figueiredo (Author); Laura Benítez (Corresponding Author); Petra Nováková (Author)
Feature Importance Ranking in Machine Learning Models Predicting Help-Seeking Intentions for Mental Health Issues in Women with High Public Self-Awareness
Objective: The objective of this study was to utilize machine learning algorithms to predict professional psychological help-seeking intentions and robustly rank the importance of various psychosocial and demographic features among Taiwanese women exhibiting high public self-awareness. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study recruited N=1,452Taiwanese women identified with high public self-awareness via purposive sampling. Data were collected using validated instruments translated into Traditional Chinese, including the Self-Consciousness Scale, the Mental Help Seeking Intention Scale, and the Kessler Distress Scale. The analytical pipeline was executed using Python (Scikit-learn and XGBoost libraries) for data preprocessing, model training, and performance evaluation across four algorithms (Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and XGBoost). Finally, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) were employed to extract and rank the importance of each feature in the optimal predictive model. Findings: The participant cohort presented a mean age of 31.8years, with 77.9%holding at least a bachelor’s degree, and 44.6%demonstrating high intentions to seek professional psychological help. The XGBoost algorithm achieved superior predictive performance on the test set compared to traditional models, yielding an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.91. SHAP value analysis identified “Self-Stigma of Seeking Help” (Mean ∣SHAP∣=1.24) and “Perceived Public Stigma” (Mean ∣SHAP∣=0.98) as the most paramount negative predictors paralyzing help-seeking intentions, whereas “Mental Health Literacy” (Mean ∣SHAP∣=0.85) emerged as the strongest positive predictor mitigating these barriers. Conclusion: Internalized and public stigma profoundly override clinical need and demographic factors in highly self-aware women, necessitating the implementation of highly confidential, low-barrier mental health interventions that circumvent the fear of social evaluation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pieter Verhaegen (Author); Yu-Chen Lin (Corresponding Author); Thi Lan Nguyen (Author)
Causal Discovery Methods to Map the Longitudinal Relationship Between Workplace Microaggressions, Social Support Networks, and Leadership Efficacy in Women
Objective: The objective of this study is to utilize advanced causal discovery methods on three-wave longitudinal data to precisely map the temporal and structural relationships between workplace microaggressions, the subsequent erosion of social support networks, and the resulting decline in leadership efficacy among professional women. Methods and Materials: This study employed a three-wave longitudinal panel design over a one-year period, collecting data from a sample of 482 professional and managerial women in Mexico. Validated self-report surveys were administered at three distinct time points, each separated by a 6-month interval, to capture the temporal dynamics of the psychological and interpersonal constructs. To transition beyond traditional correlational associations and establish structural directionality, the Peter-Clark (PC) causal discovery algorithm was utilized alongside robust bootstrapping techniques on the R statistical platform, supplemented by formal mediation analysis to quantify indirect pathways. Findings: The causal discovery algorithm successfully identified a robust, fully mediated indirect pathway, eliminating the direct long-term path between early hostilities and later leadership confidence. Specifically, exposure to workplace microaggressions at Time 1significantly eroded social support networks at Time 2, a directed causal edge that was retained in 92.4%of the bootstrap samples. Subsequently, this diminished social support at Time 2directly reduced leadership efficacy at Time 3, a structural path present in 88.7%of the bootstrap samples. Formal mediation analysis confirmed that social support networks act as a significant and critical mediating mechanism in this detrimental dynamic, yielding a standardized indirect effect of -0.046. Conclusion: Subtle workplace hostilities do not merely cause immediate distress, but structurally dismantle the professional social support networks fundamentally required to sustain and cultivate women’s leadership efficacy over time.
Copyright (c) 2026 Raul Rodríguez Pérez (Author); Fernanda Ortega (Corresponding Author)
Unpacking the Heterogeneity of Resilience in Female Survivors of Trauma: A Two-Step Mixture Modeling Approach on Neurobiological and Psychological Markers
Objective: This study aimed to identify distinct bio-psychological latent profiles of resilience among female trauma survivors by integrating psychological and neurobiological markers and to examine how trauma exposure predicts profile membership. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional observational study included a sample of N=452 adult female trauma survivors recruited from support centers in Egypt. Participants completed culturally validated Arabic versions of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Neurobiological data included hair cortisol concentration (HCC) as a marker of chronic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and resting high-frequency heart rate variability (HRV) as an index of parasympathetic regulation. A two-step mixture modeling approach was employed, using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify resilience classes, followed by multinomial logistic regression to assess predictors of class membership. Findings: The LPA revealed an optimal three-class solution. The Dysregulated/Low Resilience profile (21.0% of the sample) was characterized by low self-reported resilience, high HCC, and low HRV. The Compensatory/Moderate Resilience profile (48.9%) demonstrated moderate scores across all psychological and biological indicators. The Adaptive/High Resilience profile (30.1%) exhibited high self-reported resilience, low HCC, and high HRV. Multinomial logistic regression showed that higher severity of childhood trauma (CTQ) and current PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) significantly increased the odds of belonging to the Dysregulated and Compensatory profiles relative to the Adaptive profile. Conclusion: Resilience among female trauma survivors is a heterogeneous construct comprising distinct bio-psychological profiles, necessitating a multidimensional approach for accurate assessment and intervention.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marwa Onsy (Author); Yara Mahfouz (Corresponding Author); Lukas Brandner (Author)
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Relational Imagery Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Communication Patterns in Women Experiencing Marital Infidelity
Objective: The present study aimed to examine and compare the effectiveness of relational imagery therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on communication patterns in women confronted with marital infidelity. Methods and Materials: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with three stages (pretest, posttest, and a three-month follow-up) alongside a control group. The statistical population consisted of women aged 25 to 45 who referred to the Sina Counseling Center in Nowshahr after experiencing marital infidelity. From this population, 45 women were selected purposively and randomly assigned to three equal groups of 15: a relational imagery therapy group, an ACT group, and a control group. The Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Christensen & Sullaway, 1984) was used for data collection. Participants in the experimental groups received eight 90-minute intervention sessions twice a week. The collected data were analyzed using a mixed multivariate analysis of variance. Findings: The results demonstrated that both relational imagery therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy were effective in improving communication patterns among women facing marital infidelity. However, no significant difference was found between the two treatment groups regarding their degree of improvement. Conclusion: These findings elucidate the importance of relational imagery-based interventions in enhancing the emotional and functional indicators of women affected by marital infidelity, underscoring the necessity of employing this approach in couple counseling services.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kiana Ghasemnejad (Author); Seyedeh Zahra Sadati (Corresponding Author)
Latent Class Analysis of Cognitive Load Profiles in Women Experiencing Impostor Phenomenon: Implications for Academic Persistence
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify latent cognitive load profiles among female university students experiencing the Impostor Phenomenon and to evaluate the subsequent implications of these distinct profiles for their academic persistence. Methods and Materials: Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a sample of female university students in Chile who reported experiencing the Impostor Phenomenon. Participants completed online self-report measures, including the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale, a multidimensional cognitive load inventory (assessing intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load), and an Academic Persistence Scale. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was utilized to identify unobserved cognitive load profiles, and a robust three-step approach was applied to assess significant differences in the distal outcome of academic persistence across the emergent latent classes. Findings: Correlational analyses initially revealed that the Impostor Phenomenon was positively associated with extraneous cognitive load and negatively associated with both germane cognitive load and academic persistence. Based on model fit indices, LCA supported a three-class model: (1) an Adaptive Cognitive Load profile ( , ), characterized by moderate intrinsic, the lowest extraneous, and the highest germane load; (2) an Extraneously Overloaded profile ( , ), characterized by high intrinsic, the highest extraneous, and the lowest germane load; and (3) a Compensatory Cognitive Load profile ( , ), characterized by the highest intrinsic, moderately high extraneous, and relatively high germane load. Academic persistence varied significantly among these profiles; the Adaptive class reported the highest persistence ( , ), the Compensatory class reported moderate persistence ( , ), and the Extraneously Overloaded class demonstrated the significantly lowest persistence ( , ). Conclusion: The Impostor Phenomenon functions as a critical cognitive bottleneck that generates a paralyzing extraneous cognitive load, severely hindering germane learning processes and significantly reducing long-term academic persistence among female university students.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Lourdes Villanueva (Author); Ignacio Villalobos (Corresponding Author); Joseph Mkwawa (Author)
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Time Perspective and Emotional Efficacy-Based Interventions on Social-Emotional Loneliness and Self-Concealment in Single Women in the Climacteric Period
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Time Perspective Therapy (TPT) and Emotional Efficacy Therapy (EET) on social-emotional loneliness and self-concealment among single women in the climacteric period. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental, pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of single women navigating the climacteric phase. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to one of three groups: Time Perspective Therapy, Emotional Efficacy Therapy, or a waitlist Control group. Data were collected using standardized self-report inventories measuring social-emotional loneliness (including romantic, family, and social subscales) and self-concealment. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests to evaluate the main effects and interactions across the three assessment phases. Findings: The repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant main effects of time and time group interactions for total social-emotional loneliness, romantic loneliness, family loneliness, social loneliness, and total self-concealment (all ). Bonferroni post-hoc analyses revealed that both TPT and EET significantly improved all measured outcomes across the post-test and follow-up phases compared to the control group. Crucially, the comparative analysis showed that TPT was significantly more effective than EET in reducing total social-emotional loneliness, romantic loneliness, social loneliness, and total self-concealment (all ). The only exception was family loneliness, where no statistically significant difference was observed between the TPT and EET groups ( ). Conclusion: While both therapeutic modalities successfully alleviate psychological distress, Time Perspective Therapy is generally superior to Emotional Efficacy Therapy in reducing loneliness and self-concealment among single women in the climacteric period.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fatemeh Sadat Mohammadi (Author); Masoumeh Hashemi (Corresponding Author); Maryam Ghahremani Ochghaz (Author)
Gendered Experiences of Workplace Discrimination: A Qualitative Analysis of Women in Leadership Positions
Objective: This study aims to explore the gendered experiences of workplace discrimination among women in leadership positions, identifying the challenges they face, the impact on their professional development, and the strategies they employ to navigate these obstacles. It seeks to contribute to the understanding of how organizational cultures can either exacerbate or mitigate gender discrimination and the implications for women's leadership trajectories. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 23 women in leadership roles across various industries. Participants were purposively selected to ensure a diverse representation of experiences. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to workplace discrimination and its impact on women leaders. Findings: Five main themes were identified: Perceptions of Discrimination, Impact on Professional Development, Coping Strategies, Perceptions of Organizational Culture, and Personal Impact and Reflections. Women leaders reported experiences of overt and subtle discrimination, highlighting gender stereotypes and intersectional challenges. The impact on professional development was significant, affecting career progression, professional relationships, and skill development. Coping strategies varied, including personal resilience mechanisms, seeking supportive networks, and strategic organizational navigation. Perceptions of organizational culture revealed mixed support for gender equity, with a call for more genuine implementation of diversity policies. The personal impact of discrimination was profound, influencing emotional well-being, career satisfaction, and perspectives on gender equity. Conclusion: The study underscores the complex, multifaceted nature of gendered workplace discrimination against women in leadership, pointing to the need for systemic changes within organizations to foster inclusive environments. It highlights the resilience of women leaders and the importance of supportive networks and policies in facilitating their leadership journey.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nahid Yousefpour (Author); Hossein Bayani (Corresponding Author); Fatemeh Mohammadifard, Seyed Mohammadjavad Momeni Fini (Author)
Prediction of Borderline Personality Disorder Based on Attachment Style, Emotion Regulation, and Social Support in Women
Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and alexithymia with emotional divorce in married women. Methods and Materials: The study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all married women who referred to counseling centers in Tonekabon city in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 232 participants were recruited; after excluding incomplete questionnaires, data from 220 participants were analyzed. Data collection instruments included the Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Gottman Emotional Divorce Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis with SPSS-26. Findings: Inferential analyses indicated that early maladaptive schemas and alexithymia were positively and significantly correlated with emotional divorce (p < .01). Among schema domains, disconnection and rejection, other-directedness, and impaired limits showed significant associations with emotional divorce. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that disconnection and rejection entered the model first and significantly predicted emotional divorce. The addition of alexithymia significantly increased the explained variance, followed by other-directedness and impaired limits in subsequent steps. In the final regression model, disconnection and rejection, alexithymia, other-directedness, and impaired limits jointly accounted for approximately one-third of the variance in emotional divorce, with all predictors demonstrating statistically significant standardized regression coefficients (p < .01). Conclusion: Early maladaptive schemas, particularly disconnection and rejection, together with alexithymia, play a central role in predicting emotional disengagement within marriage, underscoring the importance of integrative schema- and emotion-focused approaches in marital assessment and intervention.
Copyright (c) 2025 Panthea Mehrarashk, Alireza Pirkhaefi (Author)
Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Agreeableness and Sense of Coherence in Women with Marital Conflicts
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on agreeableness and sense of coherence among women experiencing marital conflicts. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quantitative quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of women with marital conflicts who referred to psychological counseling centers in Rasht during 2025. Using purposive sampling, 34 participants were initially selected, and after attrition, 30 participants remained and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Inclusion criteria included willingness to participate, residency in Rasht, and age between 30 and 50 years. The experimental group received a schema therapy intervention based on Young’s model delivered in six 45-minute sessions, while the control group received no psychological intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Kansas Marital Conflict Scale, the Agreeableness subscale of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and independent samples t-tests in SPSS Version 26 after confirming statistical assumptions. Findings: Results of independent t-tests revealed statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups in posttest agreeableness and sense of coherence scores (p < .001). One-way ANCOVA results demonstrated significant effects of schema therapy on all components of sense of coherence, including comprehensibility (F = 9.80, p = .004), manageability (F = 5.54, p = .026), and meaningfulness (F = 12.25, p = .002). Additionally, schema therapy significantly increased agreeableness compared with the control condition (p < .001), indicating meaningful psychological change following intervention. Conclusion: Schema therapy was effective in improving agreeableness and strengthening sense of coherence among women with marital conflicts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bourteh Heybati Sadatmahale (Author); Soheila Mazloum Vajari (Corresponding Author)
Ranking Empowerment Mechanisms in Group Therapy for Women
Objective: This study aimed to identify and rank the key empowerment mechanisms that emerge in group therapy for women through a mixed-method approach combining qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative prioritization. Methods and Materials: A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was adopted. The first phase consisted of a qualitative literature-based thematic analysis using NVivo 14 to identify empowerment mechanisms from 68 peer-reviewed studies until theoretical saturation was achieved. Six main themes emerged: intrapersonal awareness and self-discovery, interpersonal connection and support, agency and decision-making power, cognitive and emotional regulation skills, collective empowerment and social identity, and transformative change and growth. The second phase involved quantitative ranking using SPSS 26. A structured questionnaire developed from the qualitative findings was distributed to 231 women participants from the United States who had attended group therapy sessions. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) to determine the degree of agreement among participants. Findings: Results indicated a high level of consensus among participants (Kendall’s W = 0.83, p < 0.001). The mean ranking revealed that intrapersonal awareness and self-discovery (M = 4.58, SD = 0.41) was the most significant empowerment mechanism, followed by interpersonal connection and support (M = 4.47, SD = 0.44) and agency and decision-making power (M = 4.35, SD = 0.52). Lower-ranked mechanisms included cognitive and emotional regulation skills (M = 4.29, SD = 0.48), collective empowerment and social identity (M = 4.18, SD = 0.55), and transformative change and growth (M = 4.11, SD = 0.61). Conclusion: The study concludes that empowerment in group therapy for women is a progressive process beginning with intrapersonal awareness and extending toward social identity and transformation.
Ranking Determinants of Therapy Dropout Among Women
Objective: This study aimed to identify and rank the primary determinants contributing to therapy dropout among women through an integrated mixed-method approach, highlighting the personal, relational, and systemic factors influencing discontinuation of psychological treatment. Methods and Materials: A sequential exploratory mixed-method design was employed. In the qualitative phase, an extensive literature review was conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved, and data were analyzed using NVivo 14 to extract thematic categories and conceptual patterns. Seven main themes were identified, encompassing individual, cultural, and institutional determinants. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire based on qualitative results was administered to 260 Chinese women who had prematurely discontinued therapy. Participants rated the importance of each determinant on a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, employing descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability, and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance to assess consensus in ranking. Findings: Results revealed that therapeutic relationship issues ranked as the most influential determinant (Mean = 4.62), followed by financial and logistical barriers (Mean = 4.45) and personal and psychological factors (Mean = 4.31). Systemic and institutional barriers (Mean = 4.18) and life circumstances and external stressors (Mean = 3.97) were moderately ranked, while socio-cultural constraints (Mean = 3.85) and treatment process and structure (Mean = 3.66) were identified as less decisive factors. Kendall’s W indicated a high level of agreement among participants, confirming the robustness of rankings. Conclusion: Therapy dropout among women is shaped by intertwined relational, psychological, and structural determinants, with the therapeutic relationship emerging as the most critical factor. Enhancing empathy, cultural sensitivity, financial accessibility, and flexible service design is essential to reduce attrition and promote sustained engagement in therapy.
Ranking Identity Threats in Women in STEM: A Mixed-Method Analysis in the Brazilian Context
Objective: This study aimed to identify and rank the primary dimensions of identity threats experienced by women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields in Brazil. Methods and Materials: The research adopted a two-phase sequential exploratory mixed-method design. In the qualitative phase, an extensive literature-based thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 14, reviewing 75 academic and empirical sources published between 2010 and 2025 to achieve theoretical saturation. Seven overarching categories of identity threats were identified through open, axial, and selective coding. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire derived from the qualitative findings was distributed to 220 women in STEM professions and graduate programs across Brazil. Participants rated the impact of each identified threat on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, employing descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability, and the Friedman test for ranking. Findings: The Friedman analysis revealed significant differences among the perceived intensity of threat dimensions (χ² = 126.74, p < 0.001). Gender stereotyping and bias (Mean Rank = 5.96, M = 4.72, SD = 0.41) and organizational culture and climate (Mean Rank = 5.73, M = 4.58, SD = 0.46) emerged as the most dominant threats, followed by work–life integration challenges (Mean Rank = 5.28, M = 4.37, SD = 0.54). The least influential category was structural and policy barriers (Mean Rank = 3.39, M = 3.48, SD = 0.74). These differences were statistically significant, confirming a hierarchical pattern of identity threats. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that interpersonal and organizational dynamics exert a stronger impact on women’s identity threat experiences in STEM than structural policies. Targeted institutional reforms, inclusive mentoring systems, and identity-affirming interventions are essential to fostering equity and belonging in STEM professions.
Ranking Lived Barriers to ADHD Diagnosis in Adult Women
Objective: This study aimed to identify, categorize, and rank the lived barriers that adult women experience in obtaining an accurate and timely diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through an integrated mixed-method approach. Methods and Materials: A sequential mixed-method design was employed, consisting of an initial qualitative phase followed by a quantitative ranking phase. In the qualitative phase, a systematic literature review was conducted until theoretical saturation, identifying six major thematic categories of diagnostic barriers using NVivo 14 software. These categories encompassed gendered diagnostic bias, emotional and psychological masking, sociocultural stigma and norms, systemic and institutional barriers, self-perception and help-seeking attitudes, and life-stage-specific challenges. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire derived from the qualitative themes was administered to 225 adult women aged 20–55 years residing in Mexico. Participants rated each barrier on a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26, including calculation of mean scores and Kendall’s W coefficient to assess agreement. Findings: Results revealed strong concordance among participants regarding the hierarchy of barriers (Kendall’s W = 0.81, p < 0.001). Gendered diagnostic bias ranked as the most significant barrier (M = 4.68, SD = 0.41), followed by emotional and psychological masking (M = 4.52, SD = 0.47) and sociocultural stigma and norms (M = 4.36, SD = 0.56). Systemic and institutional barriers (M = 4.21, SD = 0.63), self-perception and help-seeking attitudes (M = 4.05, SD = 0.59), and life-stage-specific challenges (M = 3.87, SD = 0.68) followed in descending order. Conclusion: The findings underscore the multidimensional nature of ADHD diagnostic inequities among adult women, revealing the interplay between clinical bias, cultural stigma, emotional masking, and systemic limitations.
Prioritizing Barriers to Help-Seeking for Intimate Partner Violence
Objective: This study aimed to identify and prioritize the psychological, social, economic, structural, interpersonal, and informational barriers that prevent women from seeking help in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods and Materials: The research was conducted in two phases. The first phase adopted a qualitative design, employing a systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2025 to identify recurring themes related to help-seeking barriers for IPV survivors. Data were analyzed using NVivo 14 software until theoretical saturation was achieved, leading to six main categories: psychological, social and cultural, economic, structural and institutional, interpersonal and relational, and informational and awareness barriers. In the second quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire derived from these themes was distributed to 216 women in South Africa who had experienced or witnessed IPV. Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with mean scores and ranking analysis applied to prioritize the identified barriers. Findings: Results showed that psychological barriers ranked as the most significant deterrent to help-seeking (mean = 4.61, SD = 0.42), followed by social and cultural barriers (mean = 4.47, SD = 0.48) and economic barriers (mean = 4.29, SD = 0.51). Structural and institutional barriers ranked fourth (mean = 4.16, SD = 0.57), while interpersonal and relational barriers (mean = 3.98, SD = 0.62) and informational and awareness barriers (mean = 3.75, SD = 0.65) were of relatively lower but still notable importance. The hierarchical ranking highlights the interplay between internalized emotions, sociocultural pressures, and systemic inadequacies in shaping help-seeking behaviors. Conclusion: The study underscores the primacy of psychological and cultural factors in deterring help-seeking among IPV survivors. Effective interventions should therefore combine trauma-informed psychological support, cultural awareness training, and systemic reforms to enhance accessibility, trust, and empowerment within survivor-centered service frameworks.
Ranking Trauma-Informed Care Needs Among Refugee Women
Objective: This study aimed to identify, categorize, and rank the trauma-informed care needs of refugee women through a mixed-method approach integrating qualitative literature synthesis and quantitative prioritization among refugee women in Germany. Methods and Materials: The study employed a two-phase mixed-method design. In the first phase, an extensive qualitative literature review was conducted to identify key trauma-informed care dimensions relevant to refugee women, with data analyzed inductively using NVivo 14 until theoretical saturation was achieved. Seven overarching themes were extracted, including safety and protection, psychological support, cultural and linguistic sensitivity, empowerment and agency, social support networks, access to health and social services, and training for service providers. In the second phase, a structured questionnaire based on these themes was administered to 200 refugee women residing in Germany. Participants rated the importance of each care dimension on a five-point Likert scale, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 with descriptive statistics and the Friedman test to determine the relative ranking of themes. Findings: The Friedman test indicated statistically significant differences in the perceived importance of trauma-informed care dimensions (p < 0.001). Safety and protection achieved the highest mean rank (4.78), followed by psychological support and healing (4.65) and cultural and linguistic sensitivity (4.39). Empowerment and agency (4.22) and social support networks (4.10) were moderately ranked, while access to health and social services (3.98) and training and capacity building for service providers (3.85) ranked lower. Conclusion: Findings highlight the multidimensional nature of trauma-informed care, emphasizing that safety, psychological healing, and cultural alignment are essential for effective refugee support.
Lived Experience of Women Applying for Divorce from Marital Life with a Husband Having Cluster B Personality Disorders: A Phenomenological Study
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the interplay between developmental adversity, emotion dysregulation, interpersonal dysfunction, and psychotherapeutic interventions in explaining symptom persistence and change in borderline personality disorder. Methods and Materials: This study employed a structured analytical design integrating clinical, developmental, and therapeutic evidence related to borderline personality disorder. Data sources included standardized diagnostic frameworks, empirical findings on developmental risk factors, and outcome evidence from evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches. Core domains of analysis encompassed early life adversity, affective instability, interpersonal functioning, comorbidity patterns, and treatment responsiveness, with particular attention to schema therapy, mentalization-based treatment, and integrative interventions grounded in contemporary clinical psychology. Findings: Inferential analysis indicated that childhood adversity and family instability were significantly associated with heightened affective instability and interpersonal dysfunction in borderline personality disorder. Emotion dysregulation emerged as a central mediating mechanism linking early relational trauma to adult symptom severity. Interpersonal dysfunction demonstrated robust associations with occupational impairment, relational instability, and psychosocial stress. Therapeutic findings suggested that structured psychotherapies, particularly schema-based and mentalization-oriented interventions, were associated with significant reductions in core borderline symptoms, while pharmacotherapy showed limited effects on core personality features and functioned primarily as an adjunct for comorbid conditions. Conclusion: The findings support an integrative, developmental–relational model of borderline personality disorder in which early adversity, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal dysfunction jointly contribute to symptom persistence, while evidence-based psychotherapies offer meaningful pathways for clinical improvement. Emphasizing early intervention, trauma-informed care, and integrative therapeutic strategies may enhance long-term outcomes and reduce the individual and societal burden associated with borderline personality disorder.
Copyright (c) 2025 Somayeh Aghajani (Author); Mahnaz Haji Heydari (Corresponding Author)
Prediction of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Based on Internal Locus of Control with the Mediating Role of Emotion-Focused Coping Strategies in Infertile Women
Objective: The present study aimed to predict difficulties in emotion regulation based on internal locus of control through the mediating role of emotion-focused coping strategies among infertile women in Tehran. Methods and Materials: This research employed a descriptive–correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of infertile women referring to infertility treatment centers in Tehran in 2025. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size determination table, 400 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized instruments: the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004), the Rotter’s Internal–External Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966), and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS; Endler & Parker, 1990). Data analysis was performed using SPSS-27 for descriptive and correlational statistics and AMOS-21 for structural equation modeling. Model fit was evaluated using χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA indices. Findings: Results showed that internal locus of control was significantly and negatively correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = –.48, p < .001) and emotion-focused coping (r = –.36, p < .001), while emotion-focused coping was positively correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = .42, p < .001). The SEM results confirmed that internal locus of control had a direct negative effect on emotion regulation difficulties (β = –0.33, p < .001) and an indirect effect through emotion-focused coping (β = –0.14, p < .01). The model fit indices (χ²/df = 1.73, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.042) indicated an excellent model fit. Conclusion: Internal locus of control plays a crucial protective role in reducing emotional regulation difficulties among infertile women, both directly and indirectly, through the regulation of emotion-focused coping strategies. Strengthening internal control beliefs and promoting adaptive emotional coping can enhance psychological resilience in infertility-related distress.
Copyright (c) 2025 Majid Mahmoodi Mozafar (Author); Mohammad Mohebi (Corresponding Author); Maryam Feyzbakhsh Vaghef (Author)
The Relationship Between Early Maladaptive Schemas and Alexithymia with Emotional Divorce in Married Women
Copyright (c) 2025 Roghayeh Mohammadi Achacheloi (Corresponding Author); Fatemeh Nasehi, Zeinab Amini (Author)
Comparing the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and Transactional Analysis Therapy on Interpersonal Problems in Conflicted Women Seeking Divorce
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy and transactional analysis therapy on reducing interpersonal problems in conflicted women seeking divorce. Methods and Materials: This applied study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest format including a control group and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of conflicted women seeking divorce who were referred to counseling and psychological service centers in Tehran. Using purposive sampling and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 participants were selected and randomly assigned into three groups: emotion-focused therapy, transactional analysis therapy, and control (15 participants in each group). The experimental groups received eight sessions of intervention, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Interpersonal Problems Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-26 at both descriptive and inferential levels, including multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), repeated measures analysis of variance, and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Findings: The results of analysis of covariance indicated that both emotion-focused therapy (F = 25.91, p < 0.001, η² = 0.558) and transactional analysis therapy (F = 39.62, p < 0.001, η² = 0.595) had significant effects on reducing interpersonal problems compared to the control group. Repeated measures analysis revealed a significant effect of time (F = 32.53, p < 0.001, η² = 0.437) and a significant interaction between time and group (F = 16.07, p < 0.001, η² = 0.433), indicating sustained changes over time. Bonferroni post hoc tests showed that both experimental groups significantly differed from the control group (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was found between the two interventions (p = 0.452). Conclusion: Both emotion-focused therapy and transactional analysis therapy were effective in reducing interpersonal problems in conflicted women seeking divorce, and their effects were stable over time, with no significant difference in effectiveness between the two approaches.
Copyright (c) 2025 Atefeh Amrollahi Biuki (Author); Mahdi Lashgari (Corresponding Author); Hakime Aghaei (Author)
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Experiential Avoidance in Women with Multiple Sclerosis
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing experiential avoidance among women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Methods and Materials: This applied, quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of women with multiple sclerosis who attended the Tehran Multiple Sclerosis Society during 2024–2025. Forty-five eligible participants were selected using accessible sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and a control group, each comprising fifteen participants. The two intervention groups received ten group-based sessions of 90 minutes according to standardized therapeutic protocols, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Experiential avoidance was assessed at pretest, posttest, and follow-up using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of covariance, controlling for baseline scores, with post hoc comparisons conducted using Tukey’s HSD test. Findings: Inferential analyses demonstrated a statistically significant effect of group on experiential avoidance at posttest after controlling for pretest scores, as indicated by ANCOVA results (F = 69.44, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.77), confirming a large effect of the interventions. Post hoc Tukey HSD comparisons showed that the acceptance and commitment therapy group had significantly lower experiential avoidance scores than the schema therapy group (mean difference = −4.44, p < 0.001) and the control group (mean difference = −7.98, p < 0.001), and the schema therapy group also differed significantly from the control group (mean difference = −3.54, p < 0.001). At follow-up, the group effect remained statistically significant (F = 51.31, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.72), indicating sustained treatment effects over time. Pairwise comparisons at follow-up revealed that acceptance and commitment therapy continued to show significantly lower experiential avoidance compared with the control group (mean difference = −7.28, p < 0.001) and schema therapy (mean difference = −5.45, p < 0.001), while schema therapy also maintained a significant advantage over the control group (mean difference = −1.84, p = 0.041). These results indicate that both interventions produced significant and lasting reductions in experiential avoidance, with acceptance and commitment therapy demonstrating the strongest and most durable effects. Conclusion: Both schema therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy are effective interventions for reducing experiential avoidance in women with multiple sclerosis; however, acceptance and commitment therapy appears to yield superior and more durable outcomes. These findings support the use of acceptance-based and schema-focused psychological interventions as part of comprehensive psychosocial care for women with multiple sclerosis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fatemeh Gholizadeh (Author); Firoozeh Zangeneh Motlagh (Corresponding Author); Mohammad Reza Bayat (Author)
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Transdiagnostic Treatment on Fear of Happiness in Mothers of Children with Autism
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic treatment in reducing fear of happiness among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods and Materials: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of mothers of children with autism referred to autism centers in Tehran in 2024. A total of 51 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic treatment) and one control group (17 participants per group). After attrition, data from 47 participants were analyzed. The mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group received ten 90-minute weekly group sessions, while the transdiagnostic treatment group received ten 75-minute weekly group sessions; the control group received no intervention. Fear of happiness was measured using the Fear of Happiness Scale at pretest and posttest. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS version 27. Findings: Inferential analyses indicated a statistically significant group effect on fear of happiness after controlling for pretest scores (F = 36.02, p < .001, η² = .626). Both intervention groups demonstrated significant reductions in fear of happiness compared with the control group (p < .001). Bonferroni post hoc comparisons further revealed a significant difference between the two treatment groups (mean difference = 2.80, p < .001), with the transdiagnostic treatment producing greater reductions in fear of happiness than mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Conclusion: Both mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic treatment are effective in reducing fear of happiness in mothers of children with autism; however, transdiagnostic treatment yields superior outcomes, suggesting that interventions targeting core emotional processes and avoidance mechanisms may provide enhanced therapeutic benefits for this population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shima Mousavi, Hosein Ebrahimi Moghaddam, Shahram Nematzadeh (Author)
The Relationship between Self-Compassion, Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, and Coping Styles with Quality of Life in Women after Mastectomy Surgery
Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between self-compassion, interpersonal emotion regulation, and coping styles with quality of life in women after mastectomy surgery. Methods and Materials: The research method was correlational, and the statistical population included women with a history of mastectomy surgery, from whom 200 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003), the Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ; Hofmann et al., 2016), the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS; Parker & Endler, 1990), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF; World Health Organization, 1991). The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analyses. Findings: The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that problem-focused coping, interpersonal emotion regulation, and self-compassion positively and significantly predicted quality of life in women after mastectomy surgery (p < .05), whereas emotion-focused coping and avoidance-focused coping negatively and significantly predicted quality of life (p < .05). Conclusion: Higher quality of life in women after mastectomy surgery is associated with the use of problem-focused coping strategies, effective interpersonal emotion regulation, and greater self-compassion. Therefore, training in effective coping strategies for dealing with post-surgical life challenges, as well as strengthening self-compassion, should be considered by health psychology professionals to improve the quality of life of these women.
Copyright (c) 2025 Faeze Khalatbari (Author); Maryam Asadolah Tooyserkani (Corresponding Author)
Effectiveness of Group Training Based on Choice Theory on Family Functioning and Responsibility in Married Women
Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group training based on Choice Theory on family functioning and responsibility among married women aged 40 to 55 years in District Three of Tehran in the year 2024. Methods and Materials: This research employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest–posttest control group with a two-month follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of married women aged 40 to 55 years residing in District Three of Tehran in 2024. From this population, 100 participants were selected through convenience sampling and completed the research instruments, including the California Psychological Inventory Responsibility Scale (1987) and the McMaster Family Assessment Device developed by Epstein et al. (1980). Participants whose scores on family functioning and responsibility were below the sample mean were identified, and 48 of them were purposively selected and randomly assigned into two equal groups: an experimental group and a control group. Both groups completed the pretest simultaneously. The experimental group then received group training based on Glasser’s Choice Theory (2001) in eight weekly sessions, each lasting 120 minutes, while the control group received no intervention. Four days after completion of the sessions, both groups completed the posttest simultaneously. Two months later, follow-up assessments of the dependent variables were administered to the experimental group. The collected data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni post-hoc tests, and SPSS version 23. Findings: The results indicated that group training based on Choice Theory significantly improved family functioning and responsibility among married women at the posttest stage. Moreover, a significant difference between the experimental and control groups was observed at the follow-up phase, indicating that the experimental group maintained superior scores in both family functioning and responsibility (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the principles of Choice Theory can be effectively applied to enhance family functioning and responsibility among married women.
Copyright (c) 2025 Parviz Moradianzand (Corresponding Author); Zohre Rezaei , Roghye Falihi , Mitraa Esmaeilian (Author)
Modeling the Structural Relationships of Post-Traumatic Growth Based on Perceived Social Support and Emotion Regulation with the Mediating Role of Self-Care Behaviors in Women with Breast Cancer
Objective: This study aimed to model the structural relationships between perceived social support and emotion regulation with post-traumatic growth (PTG), emphasizing the mediating role of self-care behaviors in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods and Materials: The research employed a descriptive–correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all women with breast cancer in Tehran, Iran. A total of 310 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection tools included the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (Zimet et al., 1988), the Affect Control Questionnaire (Williams & Chambless, 1997), and the Self-Efficacy for Self-Care Scale (Lorig, 1996). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and AMOS software. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including direct and indirect effect testing and fit indices, were applied to evaluate the proposed model. Findings: The results indicated that perceived social support (β = 0.20, t = 3.35, p < 0.001) and emotion regulation (β = 0.26, t = 3.78, p < 0.001) had significant direct effects on PTG. Additionally, both variables significantly predicted self-care behaviors (β = 0.36, t = 4.20, and β = 0.39, t = 4.55, respectively). Self-care behaviors also had a strong direct effect on PTG (β = 0.47, t = 5.35, p < 0.001) and mediated the indirect relationships between social support, emotion regulation, and PTG (β = 0.17–0.18, p < 0.001). The overall model demonstrated an excellent fit (χ²/df = 2.10; RMSEA = 0.05; CFI = 0.94; GFI = 0.96). Conclusion: The findings suggest that fostering social support, improving emotion regulation, and enhancing self-care behaviors can collectively promote post-traumatic growth among women with breast cancer.
Copyright (c) 2026 Helaleh Osmani (Author); Mahmoud Borjali (Corresponding Author); Mohammad Reza Sharbafchi (Author)
Identification and Ranking of Motivational Factors Influencing the Tendency Toward a Health-Promoting Lifestyle in Women with Eating Disorders
Objective: This study aimed to identify and rank the key motivational factors that influence women with eating disorders in adopting and maintaining a health-promoting lifestyle. Methods and Materials: The research employed a sequential mixed-methods design consisting of a qualitative and a quantitative phase. In the qualitative phase, an extensive literature review was conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved to identify major motivational themes related to health-promoting behaviors in women with eating disorders. Qualitative data were analyzed using NVivo 14 software through open, axial, and selective coding, which resulted in seven main motivational categories. In the quantitative phase, the identified factors were operationalized into a structured questionnaire and administered to 200 women with eating disorders in Tehran. Participants were selected purposively from counseling and treatment centers. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26, applying descriptive statistics and mean-score ranking to determine the relative importance of each motivational factor. Findings: The results revealed that among the seven identified motivational dimensions, intrinsic motivation (M = 4.56) ranked highest, followed by emotional regulation (M = 4.47) and social support (M = 4.31). Cognitive awareness (M = 4.25) and environmental and cultural factors (M = 4.11) occupied intermediate ranks, while behavioral regulation (M = 4.02) and physical and health awareness (M = 3.89) ranked lower. Conclusion: Strengthening internal motivation, self-efficacy, and emotional regulation should be central to intervention programs aimed at sustainable behavioral change in this population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hossein Gorji Azandariyani (Corresponding Author); Iraj Shakerinia, Masoumeh Hosseinzadehmahdavi (Author)
The Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Education Combined with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Health Anxiety and Health Dimensions in Pregnant Women at Risk of Preeclampsia
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of healthy lifestyle education combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on health anxiety and multidimensional health outcomes in this high-risk population. Methods and Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia were recruited from the Tolou Salamat Center in Tehran and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group participated in eight weekly sessions of lifestyle education integrated with mindfulness-based stress reduction, while the control group received no intervention. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing health anxiety (HAI-18) and health dimensions (Four-Dimensional Health Scale) at baseline, post-intervention, and 1.5-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and multivariate analysis of covariance. Findings: The intervention led to a statistically significant reduction in health anxiety scores and sustained improvements across multiple health domains—including psychological, social, physical, and spiritual well-being—compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Key health anxiety indicators, such as perceived likelihood of illness and general health concerns, decreased substantially and these benefits persisted at follow-up. Similarly, significant gains were observed in total health scores and specific dimensions of quality of life, with the intervention explaining a considerable proportion of variance in outcomes. Conclusion: Healthy lifestyle education combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction is an effective intervention for reducing health anxiety and enhancing multidimensional health among pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia. Integration of such programs into standard prenatal care—especially for high-risk populations—is recommended.
Copyright (c) 2025 Peimaneh Mohammadi (Author); Mojgan Agah Heris (Corresponding Author); Ezatollah Kurd Mirza Nikozadeh, Amin Rafiepoor (Author)
The Effectiveness of Quality of Life Therapy on Ego Strength and Psychological Empowerment in Women with Inadequate Spousal Support
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Quality of Life Therapy (QoLT) on improving ego strength and psychological empowerment among women with inadequate spousal support. Methods and Materials: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and 45-day follow-up stages using experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all women with inadequate spousal support in Shahrekord in 2023. Thirty participants were selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two groups of fifteen participants each. The experimental group received eight weekly sessions (90 minutes each) of Quality of Life Therapy based on the CASIO model, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Ego Strength Scale by Markstrom et al. (1997) and the Psychological Empowerment Scale by Thomas and Velthouse (1990). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS-26 to compare the changes across the three measurement stages (pretest, posttest, and follow-up). Findings: The results of repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of time and group interaction on both ego strength (F(1,28)=33.38, p<.001, η²=.641) and psychological empowerment (F(2,28)=55.09, p<.001, η²=.750). The between-group effects were also significant for ego strength (F(1,28)=16.68, p<.001, η²=.471) and psychological empowerment (F(1,28)=25.59, p<.001, η²=.583), indicating that participants in the Quality of Life Therapy group showed substantial improvements compared to the control group, with effects maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: Quality of Life Therapy can be used as a comprehensive, cognitive-behavioral, and life-satisfaction-based intervention for promoting psychological resilience and empowerment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Roya Sayadifard (Author); Seyed Hamid Atashpour (Corresponding Author); Zahra Yousefi (Author)