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 Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Distress Tolerance and Perceived Stress in Women with Social Anxiety Disorder
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on distress tolerance and perceived stress in women with social anxiety disorder. Methods and Materials: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The statistical population consisted of women diagnosed with social anxiety disorder based on DSM-5 criteria in Tehran in 2024. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Data collection instruments included the Distress Tolerance Scale developed by Simmons and Gaher, the Perceived Stress Scale developed by Cohen et al., and the Social Anxiety Questionnaire developed by Connor. The experimental group participated in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy sessions for 8 consecutive weeks, with one 90-minute session per week, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software after examining assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variances. Findings: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in distress tolerance and perceived stress at the posttest stage (p < 0.01). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly increased distress tolerance and reduced perceived stress among women with social anxiety disorder. The findings demonstrated significant effects for distress tolerance (F = 72.851, p < 0.01, η² = 0.622) and perceived stress (F = 47.341, p < 0.01, η² = 0.614). Statistical power for both variables was reported as 1.00, indicating high explanatory strength of the intervention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is an effective psychological intervention for improving distress tolerance and reducing perceived stress in women with social anxiety disorder.
Copyright (c) 2025 Elahe Ebrahimi Alavige , Rahman Azizi , Seyed Erfan Siadati (Author); Fatemeh Abedi Firouzjaei (Corresponding Author); Sohila Karimi (Author)
Comparing the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy on Death Anxiety and Negative Meta-Emotion in Women with Multiple Sclerosis
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) on death anxiety and negative meta-emotion in women with multiple sclerosis. Methods and Materials: This applied quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest design with a control group and follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of women with multiple sclerosis in Tehran, Iran, during 2024–2025. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned into three groups: SFBT, CFT, and control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental groups participated in eight 90-minute weekly group therapy sessions, while the control group received no psychological intervention during the study period. Data were collected using Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale and the Negative Meta-Emotion Scale developed by Mitmansgruber et al. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, multivariate analysis, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons in SPSS at a significance level of p < .05. Findings: The findings demonstrated significant time-by-group interaction effects for both death anxiety and negative meta-emotion. In the comparison between the SFBT and control groups, significant reductions were observed in death anxiety (Wilks’ Lambda = .234, F = 44.30, p = .001, partial η² = .766) and negative meta-emotion (Wilks’ Lambda = .156, F = 72.90, p = .001, partial η² = .844). Similarly, the comparison between the CFT and control groups revealed significant reductions in death anxiety (Wilks’ Lambda = .282, F = 34.30, p = .001, partial η² = .718) and negative meta-emotion (Wilks’ Lambda = .120, F = 165.50, p = .001, partial η² = .880). Bonferroni post hoc comparisons showed that both intervention groups differed significantly from the control group at posttest and follow-up stages. Although the CFT group showed descriptively greater reductions in death anxiety and negative meta-emotion, the direct differences between SFBT and CFT were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results indicated that both Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy were effective in reducing death anxiety and negative meta-emotion in women with multiple sclerosis, and the treatment effects remained stable at follow-up. These findings suggest that brief solution-oriented and compassion-based psychological interventions can serve as effective supportive treatments alongside medical care for women with chronic neurological illness. Both approaches may help patients improve emotional adjustment, reduce existential distress, and develop more adaptive emotional coping strategies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mahsa Naeeni Davarani (Author); Mansoor Alimahdi (Corresponding Author); Amin Rafiepoor, Mehrdad Sabet (Author)
Using Machine Learning to Identify Latent Profiles of Somatosensory Amplification and Catastrophic Misinterpretation of Bodily Cues in Psychosomatic Patients
Objective: To utilize a machine learning framework to evaluate and interpret the predictive power and complex interactions of perceived efficacy, social network centrality, and collective identity strength on the advocacy behavior of women. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional quantitative study analyzed data from a stratified random sample of exactly women in South Africa. Validated self-report scales measured advocacy behavior, internal and external perceived efficacy, social network centrality (derived via an egocentric generator), and collective identity strength. Predictive modeling compared four machine learning algorithms (Gradient Boosting Machine, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Logistic Regression) using an training and testing data partition. Model performance was evaluated using and -score metrics, with SHAP values extracted from the optimal model for feature interpretability. Findings: Tree-based ensemble methods significantly outperformed linear baselines, with the Gradient Boosting Machine achieving the highest of on the test set. SHAP analysis demonstrated that Collective Identity Strength (Mean Absolute SHAP Value of ) was the paramount predictor, followed by Social Network Centrality ( ). Furthermore, Internal Perceived Efficacy ( ) was a substantially stronger predictor than External Perceived Efficacy ( ). Bivariate analyses corroborated these algorithmic outputs, showing advocacy behavior correlated most strongly with Collective Identity Strength ( , ). Conclusion: Advocacy behavior in women is optimally predicted by a non-linear integration dominated by collective identity strength, structural network position, and internal self-efficacy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Brian Mwangi (Author); Kabelo Radebe (Corresponding Author); Iheanyi Onuigbo (Author)
Predicting Adherence to Complex Health Regimens in Women with Chronic Illness: A Random Forest Approach Integrating Health Literacy and Self-Efficacy
Objective: This study aimed to predict adherence to complex health regimens in women with chronic illnesses by evaluating the integrated predictive value of health literacy, self-efficacy, and sociodemographic factors using a Random Forest machine learning approach. Methods and Materials: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 women with chronic illnesses recruited from referral hospitals in Jakarta and Surabaya, Indonesia. Data were collected via structured interviews utilizing validated tools, including the General Medication Adherence Scale ( ), the Health Literacy Questionnaire ( ), and the Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale ( ). A Random Forest regression algorithm, optimized via grid search hyperparameter tuning on a 70/30 train-test split, was utilized to evaluate predictive accuracy and rank feature importance. Findings: The optimized Random Forest model (250 trees, maximum depth of 15) successfully explained 74% of the variance in regimen adherence ( ), demonstrating high accuracy with a Mean Absolute Error of 1.85 and a Root Mean Squared Error of 2.42. Feature importance analysis (measured by Gini impurity) revealed that the strongest predictors were self-efficacy in symptom control (0.185), health literacy in understanding information (0.142), self-efficacy in communicating with physicians (0.128), and health literacy in actively engaging with providers (0.115), heavily outperforming static sociodemographic factors such as age, income, and educational attainment. Conclusion: Adherence to complex health regimens is predominantly driven by modifiable psychological and cognitive assets—specifically symptom-management self-efficacy and health information comprehension—rather than static sociodemographic characteristics.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abulhudha Subair , Aditya Prasetyo (Author)
Effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Training on Alexithymia and Perceived Stress in Women Affected by Infidelity
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of compassion-based positive couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy on emotional experience toward spouse among young couples in Tehran. Methods and Materials: This applied study employed a semi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of young couples referring to counseling and psychological service clinics in District 5 of Tehran between July 2024 and March 2025. Using purposive sampling, 45 couples were selected and assigned into two experimental groups and one control group, with 15 couples in each group. The first experimental group received compassion-based positive couple therapy, while the second experimental group participated in emotionally focused couple therapy. Both interventions were implemented in fifteen two-hour sessions conducted twice weekly. The control group remained on a waiting list and received no intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the Emotional Experience Toward Spouse Questionnaire developed by Yusefi and Ghaffaralehi. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-26 through descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of variance, and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Findings: The results indicated significant effects of group, time, and group-by-time interaction on positive and negative emotional experiences toward spouse (p < .001). Both compassion-based positive couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy significantly increased positive emotional experiences and reduced negative emotional experiences compared with the control group. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons demonstrated that the intervention groups achieved significantly better outcomes than the control group at the posttest stage (p < .001). Pairwise comparisons further revealed significant improvements from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up in both intervention groups, while no significant differences were observed between posttest and follow-up stages, indicating the stability of treatment effects over time. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both compassion-based positive couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy are effective interventions for improving emotional experiences toward spouse among young couples. These approaches appear to strengthen emotional intimacy, emotional responsiveness, and adaptive emotional interactions while reducing negative emotional experiences and relational distress. Therefore, the application of emotion-centered and compassion-oriented therapeutic interventions may play an important role in promoting marital well-being and emotional stability among couples.
Copyright (c) 2025 Atena Nobakht Namini (Author); Ayatollah Karimi Baghmalek (Corresponding Author); Alireza Mollazade (Author)
Hierarchical Linear Modeling of Body Surveillance Frequency: Linking Media Consumption Intensity and Internalized Thin-Ideal in Adolescent Females
Objective: The objective of this study was to utilize a multilevel statistical framework to examine how individual-level media consumption intensity and internalized thin-ideal uniquely predict body surveillance frequency, and to determine whether the magnitude of these relationships varies significantly across distinct high school contexts among adolescent females. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a sample of N=1348 Hungarian adolescent females nested within multiple high schools. Participants completed a battery of validated self-report psychometric instruments, including a media exposure inventory, the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 to assess thin-ideal internalization, and the surveillance subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale. Data were analyzed using Hierarchical Linear Modeling to appropriately partition the variance between individual psychological traits (Level 1) and the overarching sociocultural school contexts (Level 2), while controlling for baseline Body Mass Index. Findings: The calculation of the unconditional null model yielded an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of 12.8%, confirming that a significant proportion of the variance in body surveillance frequency is attributable to between-school differences. Main effects modeling demonstrated that both intense media consumption and the internalized thin-ideal were robust, significant positive predictors of body surveillance at Level 1. Random slopes analyses revealed that the predictive relationship between the internalized thin-ideal and body surveillance varied significantly across different educational environments; conversely, the random slope for media consumption intensity was not statistically significant, indicating a uniformly detrimental effect across all schools. Additionally, Body Mass Index exhibited a significant positive association with heightened self-surveillance behaviors. Conclusion: Body surveillance among adolescent females is a deeply context-dependent phenomenon where the psychological harm of internalizing societal beauty standards is significantly magnified or buffered by the specific sociocultural climate of the school environment, underscoring the critical need for systemic, whole-school interventions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Martín Echeverría (Author); Ádám Székely (Corresponding Author); Arna Sigurðardóttir (Author)
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Marital Burnout and Social Anxiety in Married Women with Family Problems
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on marital burnout and social anxiety among married women with family problems. Methods and Materials: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test structure including an experimental group and a control group. The statistical population consisted of married women with family problems who referred to counseling centers in Tehran in 2024. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants who obtained high scores on the marital burnout and social anxiety questionnaires were selected and randomly assigned into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Data collection instruments included the Pines Couple Burnout Measure (CBM) and the Social Anxiety Scale. The experimental group participated in eight 2-hour sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. Finding: The results of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test confirmed the normal distribution of the data (p > .05). The findings of univariate analysis of covariance demonstrated that, after controlling for pre-test scores, the effect of group membership on post-test marital burnout scores was significant (F = 32.78, p = .001, η² = .59). In addition, the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on post-test social anxiety scores was significant (F = 38.14, p = .001, η² = .56). The results indicated that participants in the experimental group showed significantly lower levels of marital burnout and social anxiety compared to the control group after the intervention. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective in reducing marital burnout and social anxiety among married women with family problems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Afagh Jafari (Author); Seyedeh Somayeh Sayadi Kenari (Corresponding Author); Sara Sirjani , Seyedeh Sekineh Mousavi , Alireza Islami (Author)
The Effectiveness of Meanin-Centered Therapy on the Dimensions of Quality of Life in Women with Grief Syndrome Following Cancer-Related Amputation
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Meanin-Centered Therapy on the dimensions of quality of life in women experiencing grief syndrome following cancer-related amputation. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group and a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of women with breast cancer experiencing death anxiety and grief symptoms following amputation, who were recruited from specialized oncology centers in Isfahan. A total of 36 participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 18). The experimental group received an eight-session group-based Meanin-Centered Therapy intervention, while the control group did not receive any psychological intervention during the study period. Data were collected using the WHOQOL-BREF, the Grief Experience Questionnaire, and the Death Anxiety Scale. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Findings: The results indicated significant effects of time, group, and the interaction between time and group on all dimensions of quality of life (p < 0.001). Participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health at posttest compared to pretest, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Bonferroni post-hoc analyses revealed that the differences between pretest and posttest, as well as between pretest and follow-up, were statistically significant (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found between posttest and follow-up (p > 0.05), indicating stability of the intervention effects over time. Effect size indices demonstrated large practical significance across all variables. Conclusion: Meanin-Centered Therapy is an effective intervention for improving multiple dimensions of quality of life in women experiencing grief syndrome following cancer-related amputation, and its effects are sustained over time, suggesting its utility as a meaning-centered therapeutic approach in psychosocial oncology care.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nika Dardashtinia , Baharak Jahandar, Athar Abasian Najafabadi (Author); Gholamreza Talebi (Corresponding Author)
The Effectiveness of Short-Term Object Relations Therapy on the Dimensions of Shame in Women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Randomized Clinical Trial
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of short-term object relations therapy on the dimensions of shame in women with multiple sclerosis. Methods and Materials: This study was an applied quantitative research conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and three-month follow-up, including an experimental group and a control group. The statistical population consisted of women diagnosed with multiple sclerosis referred to medical centers in Isfahan during 2025–2026. A total of 36 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 18). The experimental group received short-term object relations therapy based on Masterson’s protocol in 14 sessions (45 minutes each, twice weekly), while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Experience of Shame Scale (ESS), which assesses characterological, behavioral, and bodily shame. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-29 at both descriptive and inferential levels, including repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Findings: The results of repeated-measures ANOVA indicated significant effects of time, group, and the interaction between time and group on total shame and all its dimensions (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes. Bonferroni post hoc tests showed that shame scores in the experimental group significantly decreased from pretest to posttest and from pretest to follow-up (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed between posttest and follow-up stages, indicating stability of treatment effects. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion: Short-term object relations therapy is an effective intervention for reducing the dimensions of shame in women with multiple sclerosis, and its effects are stable over time, suggesting its potential as a valuable psychotherapeutic approach for improving emotional functioning in this population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ghazal Mesghali (Author); Gholamreza Talebi (Corresponding Author); Hamidreza Oreyzi (Author)
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy and the Existential–Spiritual Reconstruction Protocol in Enhancing Quality of Life Among Women Attending Healthcare Centers in Bushehr City
Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Existential–Spiritual Reconstruction Protocol in improving the quality of life among women attending healthcare centers in Bushehr City. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and a control group. The statistical population consisted of women with a history of miscarriage who attended healthcare centers in Bushehr City. From the eligible participants, 45 individuals were selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each (two experimental groups and one control group). Initially, a pretest was administered to all three groups. Subsequently, the two experimental groups received therapeutic interventions over eight 90-minute sessions, and finally, a posttest was conducted for all groups. Data were collected using the Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36). The data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 25. Findings: The results indicated a significant difference between the effectiveness of the miscarriage-related Existential–Spiritual Reconstruction Protocol and Emotion-Focused Therapy in improving the quality of life of women with a history of miscarriage. In most dimensions of quality of life, both experimental groups (ESR-A and EFT) showed significant differences compared to the control group (p < .05). Therefore, both interventions led to improvements in quality of life dimensions compared to no intervention. Furthermore, direct comparison between the two experimental groups revealed that in some dimensions, the level of improvement in the first experimental group (ESR-A) was greater than that in the second experimental group (EFT). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrated that both interventions are effective in improving the quality of life of women with a history of miscarriage; however, the Existential–Spiritual Reconstruction Protocol, which is developed based on qualitative findings and tailored to the cultural context of the community, showed greater effectiveness.
Existential–Spiritual Reconstruction Therapy
Copyright (c) 2025 Azam Barani (Author); Maryam Gholamzadeh Jofreh (Corresponding Author); Kabra Kazemian Moghadam (Author)
Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Anxiety Sensitivity in Women with Borderline Personality Disorder
Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of schema therapy on emotion regulation and anxiety sensitivity in women with borderline personality disorder. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population consisted of women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who attended a specialized psychology clinic in Tehran in 2025. A total of 30 participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received schema therapy intervention over ten 90-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS-26. Findings: The results indicated that there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in emotion regulation (p = 0.024) and anxiety sensitivity (p = 0.008). Additionally, within-group (time) effects were significant for both emotion regulation (p < 0.001) and anxiety sensitivity (p < 0.001). The interaction effect of group and time was also significant for emotion regulation (p < 0.001) and anxiety sensitivity (p < 0.001), indicating that schema therapy significantly improved emotion regulation and reduced anxiety sensitivity in the experimental group compared to the control group, with effects maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: The findings suggest that schema therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing emotion regulation and reducing anxiety sensitivity in women with borderline personality disorder, and its effects are stable over time. Therefore, schema therapy can be recommended as a therapeutic approach for improving emotional and psychological functioning in this population.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sima Pakdel Sabzgol , Masoumeh Hasani (Author); Alireza Ahangaran (Corresponding Author)
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)
Can Self-Repair Training Help Women with Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder? A Quasi-Experimental Study
Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the capacity of self-repair training to help women with symptoms of borderline personality disorder improve self-regulation and weaken neurotic defense mechanisms. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with three stages: pretest, posttest, and follow-up, along with a control group. The statistical population consisted of women with symptoms of borderline personality disorder in the city of Isfahan during the summer of 2025 who were referred to four centers active in this field. Among them, 40 women were purposively selected and assigned to an experimental group and a control group (20 participants in each group). The Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Gratz & Roemer, 2004) and the Neurotic Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire (Andrews et al., 1993) were used to assess the dependent variables at the three stages. The self-repair training group received training over 10 sessions, whereas the control group received no training. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 26. Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the self-repair training group and the control group in the variables of self-regulation and neurotic defense mechanisms (p < .05). This means that self-repair training helped women with symptoms of borderline personality disorder improve their level of self-regulation and, in contrast, reduce their use of neurotic defense mechanisms. Conclusion: Therefore, self-repair training can be used in treatment centers to help women struggling with symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
women with symptoms of borderline personality disorder
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammadreza Yekta (Author); Mohsen Golparvar (Corresponding Author); Zahra Yousefi (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.