Psychology of Woman Journal

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on marital bond and hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal. This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group, followed by a follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all married women who referred to counseling and psychological services centers in Shahreza in 2024 and had experienced infidelity by their husbands. A sample of 30 women was selected using convenience sampling method. Then, 15 women were randomly assigned to the control group and 15 women to the experimental group. Data collection tools included the "We-ness in Romantic Relationships" questionnaire by Cruz et al. (2023) and the "Hostile Attribution Questionnaire" by Arntz et al. (2003). Schema therapy was implemented based on the protocol by Farrell et al. (2018) in 10 sessions, and data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results of the Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that the mean scores of marital bond and hostile attribution differed significantly between pre-test and post-test, and pre-test and follow-up (p<0.05), but not between post-test and follow-up. Therefore, schema therapy was effective in improving marital bond and reducing hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal, and this effectiveness was maintained during the follow-up period. It can be concluded that schema therapy can be used to improve marital bond and reduce hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based acceptance training package on the mother-child relationship in mothers of children with ASD.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included mothers of children with ASD attending the Special Needs Children Training and Research Clinic at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Using convenience sampling, 30 mothers were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (15 participants each). The experimental group received 12 sessions of a mindfulness-based acceptance training package, each lasting 120 minutes, while the control group received no training. Both groups completed the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (Driscoll & Pianta, 2011) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using covariance matrix analysis in SPSS software version 27.

Findings: Results revealed a significant difference in the overall positive parent-child relationship between the experimental group, which received the mindfulness-based acceptance training package, and the control group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the effect of the intervention remained stable during the follow-up phase (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the mindfulness-based acceptance training package improves the mother-child relationship in families with children with ASD. Therefore, this training package can be utilized to enhance the relationship between mothers and their children with ASD.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on relational ethics and behavioral emotion regulation in women experiencing marital conflicts.

Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial design was employed with a total of 30 women from Tehran, who were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The intervention consisted of eight 90-minute EFT sessions conducted over eight weeks, followed by a three-month follow-up assessment. The Behavioral Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (BERQ) and the Relational Ethics Scale (RES) were used to assess the dependent variables at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests to evaluate within-group and between-group differences across time. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS-27 software.

Findings: The results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant main effect of time for relational ethics, F(2,27) = 30.64, p = 0.001, η² = 0.68, and behavioral emotion regulation, F(2,27) = 42.79, p = 0.001, η² = 0.72, demonstrating significant improvements over time in the experimental group compared to the control group. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences between pre-test and post-test (p = 0.001) and pre-test and follow-up (p = 0.003) for both variables, while post-test to follow-up differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Emotion-Focused Therapy is an effective intervention for improving relational ethics and behavioral emotion regulation in women with marital conflicts. The results indicate sustained positive effects over time, highlighting the potential of EFT as a valuable therapeutic approach in addressing marital distress and promoting emotional well-being.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Program (NRP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on metacognitive skills, executive functions, and emotion regulation in women with breast cancer.

Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was used, with 45 women with breast cancer from Tehran randomly assigned to three groups: NRP (n = 15), ACT (n = 15), and a control group (n = 15). The interventions lasted for eight to twelve weeks, and assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Standardized measures were used, including the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27.

Findings: Both NRP and ACT significantly improved metacognitive skills, executive functions, and emotion regulation over time (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The NRP group showed slightly greater improvements in executive functions, whereas the ACT group demonstrated slightly higher effectiveness in emotion regulation, but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The control group did not exhibit significant changes in any variable. No significant differences between NRP and ACT were found, suggesting both interventions are equally effective in addressing cognitive and emotional challenges in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that both interventions can be used as viable psychological treatments for improving cognitive flexibility, self-regulation, and emotional resilience in this population.

Objective: This study aims to identify the psychological mechanisms underlying women's reactions to gender-based violence (GBV).

Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 24 women who had experienced GBV in Tehran. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software to identify key themes and patterns related to emotional responses, coping strategies, and the impact of violence on mental health.

Findings: The findings revealed three major themes: psychological reactions, coping strategies, and the impact on mental health. Emotional responses such as fear, shame, and anxiety were prevalent among participants, often accompanied by cognitive processing patterns like self-blame and rumination. Coping strategies varied, with some participants engaging in avoidance coping through emotional numbing and disengagement, while others sought social support or pursued self-care practices to regain a sense of control. The long-term impact of GBV included social withdrawal, trust issues, and diminished self-worth, with many participants experiencing chronic psychological distress such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Conclusion: The study underscores the complex interplay between psychological reactions and coping mechanisms among GBV survivors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that address emotional distress and empower women through support systems. Culturally sensitive mental health services, awareness campaigns, and policy measures are essential to improving survivors' well-being and promoting resilience.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy-based couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy on attachment behaviors in incompatible couples.

Methods and Materials: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, control group, and a two-month follow-up period. The statistical population included all couples who sought psychological and counseling services in Tehran in 2023. Using purposive sampling, 45 couples who met the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly assigned to three equal groups (15 couples per group). Data were collected using the Spanier Marital Adjustment Questionnaire (1976) and the Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Companionship Questionnaire by Sandberg et al. (2012). Participants in the experimental groups received therapeutic interventions over 10 weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any interventions. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Findings: The results indicated that both schema therapy-based couple therapy and emotionally focused couple therapy significantly increased attachment behaviors in incompatible couples compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of these therapeutic approaches, psychologists and counselors working in this field are recommended to utilize these intervention methods to enhance attachment behaviors in couples experiencing incompatibility.

Objective:  This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing feelings of shame and enhancing self-acceptance among married women with depression.

Methods and Materials: The study employed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. A total of 30 married women with depression from Tehran were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 15), which received ten 90-minute CBT sessions, or the control group (n = 15), which did not receive any psychological intervention. The Experiences of Shame Scale (ESS) and the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ) were used to assess the dependent variables at each assessment point. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to examine changes over time, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were conducted to determine specific group differences. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-27, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Findings: The results indicated a significant main effect of time for both shame and self-acceptance. For shame, a significant reduction was observed across time points in the experimental group, F(2, 28) = 15.72, p = 0.002, η² = 0.47, with Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealing significant decreases from pre-test to post-test (p = 0.001) and pre-test to follow-up (p = 0.002). Similarly, self-acceptance scores significantly improved over time, F(2, 28) = 10.89, p = 0.005, η² = 0.39, with significant differences found between pre-test and post-test (p = 0.045), demonstrating the effectiveness of CBT in fostering self-acceptance.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that CBT is an effective intervention for reducing shame and improving self-acceptance in married women with depression. These results highlight the importance of incorporating CBT techniques in therapeutic interventions to address emotional challenges associated with depression.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of group logotherapy on developmental challenges in middle-aged married women.

Methods and Materials: Methodologically, this research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of middle-aged married women aged 40 to 65 years, residing in a 300-unit residential complex in District 2 of Tehran. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and voluntary participation. The selected participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, each consisting of 15 individuals. The experimental group received an eight-session intervention based on the logotherapy protocol within the framework of Schulenberg’s (2010) logotherapy model, while the control group received no intervention. Data collection was conducted using the Middle-Aged Developmental Challenges Questionnaire (Ali Roozbehani & Mahnaz Ali Akbar Dehkordi, 2017), which was administered as both a pre-test and post-test to both experimental and control groups. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. In the descriptive analysis section, statistical indices such as mean and standard deviation were employed. Additionally, to assess the normality of research variables, the skewness and kurtosis test was used, while Levene’s test was applied to examine the homogeneity of variances. In the inferential statistics section, univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was utilized to compare the mean scores of the experimental and control groups while controlling for the effect of pre-test scores.

Findings: The findings indicated that group logotherapy had a significant impact on the developmental challenges of middle-aged married women and its components.

Conclusion: Group logotherapy significantly reduces midlife challenges in married women, improving their psychological well-being, adaptation to midlife crises, and enhancing life satisfaction by promoting meaning-seeking and responsibility.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of schema therapy on marital bond and hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal. This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group, followed by a follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all married women who referred to counseling and psychological services centers in Shahreza in 2024 and had experienced infidelity by their husbands. A sample of 30 women was selected using convenience sampling method. Then, 15 women were randomly assigned to the control group and 15 women to the experimental group. Data collection tools included the "We-ness in Romantic Relationships" questionnaire by Cruz et al. (2023) and the "Hostile Attribution Questionnaire" by Arntz et al. (2003). Schema therapy was implemented based on the protocol by Farrell et al. (2018) in 10 sessions, and data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results of the Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that the mean scores of marital bond and hostile attribution differed significantly between pre-test and post-test, and pre-test and follow-up (p<0.05), but not between post-test and follow-up. Therefore, schema therapy was effective in improving marital bond and reducing hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal, and this effectiveness was maintained during the follow-up period. It can be concluded that schema therapy can be used to improve marital bond and reduce hostile attribution in women experiencing infidelity and marital betrayal.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based acceptance training package on the mother-child relationship in mothers of children with ASD.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included mothers of children with ASD attending the Special Needs Children Training and Research Clinic at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Using convenience sampling, 30 mothers were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (15 participants each). The experimental group received 12 sessions of a mindfulness-based acceptance training package, each lasting 120 minutes, while the control group received no training. Both groups completed the Parent-Child Relationship Scale (Driscoll & Pianta, 2011) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using covariance matrix analysis in SPSS software version 27.

Findings: Results revealed a significant difference in the overall positive parent-child relationship between the experimental group, which received the mindfulness-based acceptance training package, and the control group (P < 0.001). Additionally, the effect of the intervention remained stable during the follow-up phase (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the mindfulness-based acceptance training package improves the mother-child relationship in families with children with ASD. Therefore, this training package can be utilized to enhance the relationship between mothers and their children with ASD.