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Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and metaphor therapy on marital burnout in women with marital conflicts. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design, a control group, and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population included women with marital conflicts who visited counseling centers in Shiraz in 2023. A total of 60 participants were selected voluntarily and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. The research instrument was the Marital Burnout Questionnaire (Pines, 1996, CBM). The educational interventions, based on the cognitive-behavioral approach (Gehart, 2012) and the metaphor-based approach (Coup, 2013), were conducted in eight 60-minute sessions for the two experimental groups. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Findings: The results indicated a significant difference in the posttest and follow-up stages between the control group and the CBT group (p < .001) and the metaphor therapy group (p < .001). The effectiveness of CBT and metaphor therapy in improving marital burnout was 59.6% and 29.7% in the posttest, and 69.2% and 34.8% in the follow-up stage, respectively. Additionally, the findings showed a significant difference between the two experimental groups in both the posttest and follow-up stages, with differences of 26.3% and 37.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that both CBT and metaphor therapy lead to improvements in marital burnout among women. Family therapists can utilize these educational approaches to enhance marital relationships in couples experiencing conflicts.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of cultural silence and emotional suppression within Asian-American families. Methods: This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to investigate emotional suppression among 24 Asian-American adults residing in the United States. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity across ethnic subgroups and generational backgrounds. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via secure video conferencing platforms. Interviews lasted between 60 and 90 minutes and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Thematic analysis was performed through an inductive coding process that emphasized participants’ subjective interpretations and cultural meaning-making around emotional expression. Findings: Four major themes emerged from the data: family communication norms, cultural identity and emotional suppression, impacts on mental and emotional health, and pathways to emotional expression and healing. Participants reported indirect communication, emotional stoicism, and intergenerational silence as common patterns within their families. These dynamics were often reinforced by cultural expectations of respect, shame, and self-control. Emotional suppression was linked to internalized distress, difficulty in emotional identification, and barriers to help-seeking. Despite these challenges, participants also described transformative experiences involving therapy, peer support, and bicultural integration that facilitated emotional literacy and relational healing. Conclusion: Emotional suppression and cultural silence in Asian-American families are shaped by deep-rooted cultural values and intergenerational practices. While these patterns may hinder emotional well-being, participants also demonstrated adaptive strategies and agency in redefining emotional norms. These findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive mental health practices that validate heritage while promoting emotional authenticity.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the components of enhancing dyadic ego strength (facilitating the transition from "I-ness" to "We-ness" in marital relationships) specifically for married individuals. The research setting included all texts related to the concept of "We-ness." Methods: The method for selecting texts was purposive sampling from among the aforementioned texts or related constructs within the time frame of 2010 to 2025, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The number of texts was determined according to the principle of data saturation. Data collection involved line-by-line analysis of texts based on questions relevant to the concept of "We-ness." The data obtained from the textual analysis were analyzed using the conventional content analysis method proposed by Hsieh and Shannon (2005). Findings: Content analysis of the texts revealed that dyadic ego consists of four key concepts: (1) essence (with sub-concepts of attention to marital union and dyadic identity); (2) dimensions of dyadic ego (with sub-concepts of cognitive, positive emotional, negative emotional, and behavioral aspects); (3) pathways to achieving dyadic ego (with sub-concepts of generative meaning of the marital bond, family values, and family goals); and (4) obstacles to achieving dyadic ego (with sub-concepts of individualism, lack of self-differentiation, and insecure attachment). Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that dyadic ego is a mechanism that transforms the process of "I-ness" into "We-ness," and for its realization, couples must engage in pathways to attain it and overcome its obstacles.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of reality therapy and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) on love trauma syndrome, self-worth, and relationship beliefs in divorced women residing in Tehran. Methods and Materials: This research is applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of data collection, using a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all divorced women residing in District 2 of Tehran in 2023, from whom 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The participants were randomly assigned, with age-matching, into two intervention groups and one control group. Participants completed the Relationship Beliefs Questionnaire, Ross's Love Trauma Syndrome Questionnaire, and the Self-Worth Questionnaire at pretest, posttest, and follow-up phases. The first intervention group received 8 sessions of reality therapy, while the second group received 10 sessions of emotion-focused therapy. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS version 22. Findings: Both reality therapy and emotion-focused therapy were effective in enhancing self-worth, improving relationship beliefs, and reducing love trauma syndrome symptoms among divorced women in Tehran. Moreover, the effectiveness of both treatments persisted over time. No significant difference was found between the effectiveness of reality therapy and emotion-focused therapy on the studied variables. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that both reality therapy and emotion-focused therapy are effective interventions for improving love trauma syndrome symptoms, enhancing self-worth, and modifying relationship beliefs in divorced women in Tehran

  Objective : Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication problems, limited social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of play therapy education with a parent-child approach in improving social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, a control group, and a follow-up phase. The statistical population of the study included children with autism at the Justice Center in Isfahan. The sample of the present study included 30 children with autism, including 30 children with autism, who were selected using purposive sampling and were divided into two experimental and control groups. The research instrument used was the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP), and play therapy education sessions with a parent-child approach were implemented in ten 90-minute sessions once a week on the experimental group. The research data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test and SPSS version 24 software. Results: The research findings showed that the difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the mean scores of social skills variables in all stages of the experiment was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study show that play therapy education with a parent-child approach can help improve children's social skills. Therefore, its use is recommended to strengthen social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Objective : Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication problems, limited social interactions, and repetitive behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of play therapy education with a parent-child approach in improving social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, a control group, and a follow-up phase. The statistical population of the study included children with autism at the Justice Center in Isfahan. The sample of the present study included 30 children with autism, including 30 children with autism, who were selected using purposive sampling and were divided into two experimental and control groups. The research instrument used was the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP), and play therapy education sessions with a parent-child approach were implemented in ten 90-minute sessions once a week on the experimental group. The research data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test and SPSS version 24 software. Results: The research findings showed that the difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the mean scores of social skills variables in all stages of the experiment was significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study show that play therapy education with a parent-child approach can help improve children's social skills. Therefore, its use is recommended to strengthen social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: This study aims to examine the structural model of adolescent self-control within the family context, focusing on the contributions of parenting styles, family emotional support, and cognitive flexibility, with rumination as a mediating factor. Methods and Materials: Using a correlational design, this study targeted a population of adolescents aged 12–18 years attending urban schools in Azarshahr, Iran, in 2023. A sample of 385 adolescents was selected via multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Parenting Styles Questionnaire (Darling & Toyokawa, 1997), Family Emotional Support Scale (Pierce, Sarason, & Sarason, 1991), Cognitive Flexibility Scale (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010), and Rumination Response Scale (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991). Data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS software, applying structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized model. Findings: The findings revealed significant direct effects of parenting styles, family emotional support, and cognitive flexibility on adolescent self-control (p < .05, effect size = .2). Rumination significantly mediated the relationships between these factors and self-control, underscoring its role within this dynamic. Conclusion: The results indicate that fostering positive parenting styles, supportive family environments, and flexible cognitive abilities can enhance adolescent self-control, with reduced rumination serving as a beneficial mediator. This model highlights the potential of family-centered approaches in promoting adolescent self-regulation.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine and compare the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy and schema therapy on attachment styles and emotion regulation in women affected by infidelity. Methods and Materials: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest and control group. The statistical population included all women affected by infidelity who referred to counseling centers in Tehran in 2023. From this population, 45 participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: the first experimental group (emotion-focused therapy, 15 participants), the second experimental group (schema therapy, 15 participants), and the control group (15 participants). The experimental groups received the respective interventions across a set number of sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. All three groups were assessed at pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages using the Attachment Styles Questionnaire and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Findings: Data analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance and post hoc tests indicated that both therapeutic approaches led to significant improvements in attachment styles and enhanced emotion regulation abilities in women affected by infidelity (p < .05). Moreover, a comparison of results showed that schema therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness than emotion-focused therapy in certain indices. Conclusion: Based on the findings, emotion-focused therapy and schema therapy can be considered effective approaches for promoting secure attachment styles and improving emotion regulation among women affected by infidelity.