مجید صفاری نیا

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions using coaching and self-learning methods on marital satisfaction and couple intimacy. Methods and Materials: This semi-experimental study followed a pre-test–post-test design with a control group and two experimental groups (coaching and self-learning). The statistical population consisted of couples who visited family counseling centers in District 8 of Tehran in 2022 and reported low levels of marital satisfaction and intimacy. A purposive sampling method was used to select 45 participants, who were equally divided into three groups of 15. The coaching group received eight 90-minute cognitive-behavioral sessions, while the self-learning group was given a structured 73-page manual to follow independently over two months. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Thompson and Walker Marital Intimacy Scale. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the results. Findings: ANCOVA results indicated that cognitive-behavioral interventions using the coaching method significantly improved marital satisfaction (η² = 0.30, p < .01) and couple intimacy (η² = 0.372, p < .01), compared to the control group. Similarly, the self-learning method showed significant improvement in marital satisfaction (η² = 0.19, p < .01) and intimacy (η² = 0.23, p < .01), although the effect sizes were smaller. Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral interventions, particularly through coaching, are effective in enhancing marital satisfaction and intimacy. The presence of a coach facilitates deeper understanding, accountability, and behavioral change, making it a more impactful approach compared to self-directed learning.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Imago therapy on cognitive flexibility and post-traumatic growth in women affected by extramarital affairs. Methods: The research community included all women affected by extramarital affairs in the city of Isfahan (including the Nik Ovin Psychological Clinic and the Hazrat Abolfazl Charity Institute) in the spring of 2024. Accordingly, a group of women affected by extramarital affairs was randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (15 individuals) and a control group (15 individuals). The experimental group received Imago therapy sessions, while the control group received no treatment. The data were analyzed using repeated measures tests with SPSS software version 23. Findings: The findings indicated that Imago therapy was effective in enhancing psychological flexibility and its subscales, as well as post-traumatic growth and its subscales, in women affected by extramarital affairs (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The obtained results showed that Imago therapy could be utilized as an effective approach for improving women affected by extramarital affairs, playing a significant role in enhancing their quality of life.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic and complex disease that requires constant medical and psychological care. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of acceptance, commitment, and mindfulness therapy in improving blood sugar control and weight control in people with type 2 diabetes. Method: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of this study included all men with type 2 diabetes and overweight in Tehran in 2021. The research samples were 60 patients who were selected through the purposeful sampling method and randomly assigned into three equal groups including experimental group A (under acceptance and commitment therapy), experimental group B (under mindfulness therapy), and control group (without intervention). The data collection tool in this study was the HBA1C test to control blood sugar and BMI to control weight. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of blood sugar control and weight control in the acceptance and commitment therapy group and the control group (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant difference between the blood sugar control and weight control scores of the mindfulness therapy group and the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that both interventions, especially acceptance and commitment therapy to reduce the psychological and physical problems of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The present study determined the fit of hope model based on spiritual health, body image, family support, and health locus of control mediated by social comparison in patients with postoperative breast cancer. Method: The sample of the study included 400 women selected using the purposive sampling method from patients with breast cancer who after surgery referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran in the spring and summer of 2021. Data collection tools included Gibbons and Buunk's Social Comparison Orientation Scale (1993), Khodapnahi et al.'s Social Support Questionnaire (2009), Schneider Hope Scale (1991), Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-Being Scale (1982), Cash, Winstead, and Janda's Body Image Questionnaire (1985), and Wallston et al.'s multidimensional Health Locus of control scales (1978). Results: The hope model based on spiritual health, body image, family support, and health locus of control mediated by social comparison in postoperative breast cancer patients had a good fit. Also, spiritual health (r = 0.48), body image (r = 0.46), family support (r = 0.37), and health locus of control (r = 0.23) had a direct correlation and indirect effect on the variable of hope mediated by social comparisons. Conclusion: In order to increase the hope as the inner force needed to fight breast cancer, we can improve the quality of spiritual health, positive body image, family support, source of health control, and social comparison.