درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objective: This study aimed to present a structural model of the quality of life for the elderly based on self-care with the mediating role of social support. Methods: The research employed a correlational design using structural equation modeling. The study population consisted of individuals aged 60 to 75 years living in urban homes in Tehran, with 314 participants selected as the research sample. The data collection tools included the Iranian version of the Phillips Social Support Questionnaire (1986), the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire (1989), and the Elderly Self-care Questionnaire by Younesi et al. (2020). The statistical technique used was a full latent variable structural equation model, and the data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, AMOS version 24, and R software version 4.3.1. Examination of the model fit indices indicated that the model overall is in excellent condition for explaining and fitting the data. Findings: The results showed that both social support and self-care have a significant positive effect on the quality of life variable for the elderly. Moreover, the self-care variable also has a significant positive impact on the social support variable at a 95% confidence level. Additionally, the self-care variable significantly affects the quality of life of the elderly through the mediating variable of social support. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the mediating role of social support can play a significant role in examining changes in the quality of life of the elderly. It is recommended that the importance of social support be emphasized and taught in elderly care centers and other counseling and guidance centers.

Objective: The present study aimed to present a structural model of psychological maladjustment based on post-traumatic stress symptoms with the mediating role of ego strength in individuals suffering from chronic pain. Methods: The research method was descriptive, correlational, and structural equation modeling was used. The study population included all patients suffering from chronic pain who had visited specialized pain clinics in Tehran from February 2021 to May 2021. Using the Tabachnick and Fidell (2007) formula, the sample size was determined to be 330, selected through convenience sampling. Research instruments included the Psychological Adjustment Questionnaire (Rohner & Khaleque, 2005), the Mississippi Scale for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (1998), and the Psychological Ego Strength Scale (Markstrom et al., 1997). Data analysis was conducted in two parts: descriptive (central and dispersion indices, skewness, and kurtosis) and inferential (structural equation modeling) using SPSS-V23 and LISREL-V8.8 software. Findings: The results indicated that the model has a good fit. Additionally, the results showed that there is a significant direct and indirect relationship (mediated by ego strength) between post-traumatic stress and psychological maladjustment in individuals with chronic pain. The results suggest that the effect of post-traumatic stress indirectly influences psychological maladjustment positively through ego strength, with a magnitude of 0.81. Conclusion: Therefore, through individual and group therapy sessions, assistance should be provided to patients with chronic pain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, enabling them to fairly assess their functioning in life, free the individual from potential guilt at the time of the incident, and the lack of positive individual performance. Thus, by increasing ego strength and reducing avoidance behaviors, a lesser degree of psychological maladjustment can be expected in the individual.

Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate marital burnout and to determine the effectiveness of a communication skills training protocol. Methods: The experimental method employed was a single-subject design with multiple baselines, involving couples seeking counseling at the Raz City Clinic in Shiraz and the Clinic of the General Directorate of Exceptional Education in Fars Province, during the autumn of 2021. Among these couples, three pairs exhibiting the highest levels of marital burnout were selected using a purposive sampling method. The therapeutic program of the communication skills training protocol was conducted by the researcher over 10 sessions, followed by a follow-up in two stages, one month apart. The participants responded to the Marital Burnout Scale at the baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up stages. Data were analyzed using visual analysis methods, the recovery percentage formula, and the reliable change index. Findings: Findings indicated that the communication skills training protocol enhanced marital quality and reduced marital burnout, with these effects being maintained during the follow-up phase. Conclusion: The treatment protocol proved to be effective, and couple therapists can utilize these communication skills in their work with couples to reduce marital burnout and enhance marital quality, particularly during the early years of marriage, where it can have a significant impact.

Objective: Musculoskeletal diseases are among the most common and costly illnesses across all age groups and various communities, leading to disability, incapacity, early retirement, and job loss. The present study aimed to develop a structural model of quality of life based on resilience with the mediation of perceived stress in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The research method was descriptive-survey with a structural equation modeling design. The statistical population included women with rheumatoid arthritis in the city of Isfahan. The women with rheumatoid arthritis referred to medical centers in Isfahan had at least one year of disease history. Data were collected using the Varni-Kazisnki and Keller Quality of Life Questionnaire (1996), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (1993), Cohen, Kamarck, and Mermelstein’s Perceived Stress Questionnaire (1983), and the Gratz and Roemer Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale (2004). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Amos26 software. Findings: The results showed that the direct effect of resilience on the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significant (β = 0.25; P < 0.01). The indirect effect of resilience through the mediation of perceived stress on the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was significant (β = 0.16; P < 0.01). Additionally, the total effect of resilience through the mediation of perceived stress on quality of life was significant (β = 0.41; P < 0.01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the structural model of quality of life based on resilience with the mediation of perceived stress was well-fitted, and perceived stress played a mediating role in the relationship between quality of life and resilience in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of family leisure and humor in the relationship between parenting stress and co-parenting. Methods: The present study population consisted of all parents living in Kermanshah in 2020, from which 300 people were selected to participate in the study using multi-stage cluster sampling. Research instruments included Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Zabriski Family Leisure Activity Profile, Co-parenting Relationship Scale, and the Family Members’ Humor Scale. The research was descriptive and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Results: The results of data analysis showed that there is a significant direct relationship between parenting stress variables and co-parenting (P< 0.001; β = -0.43), parenting stress and family humor (P< 0.001; β= -0.34), parenting stress variables and family leisure (P< 0.001; β= -0.28), humor in the family and co-parenting (P< 0.001; β= 0.4). Also, the humor variable in the family could play a mediating role in the relationship between parenting stress and co-parenting (P< 0.002; β= 0.17). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be said that humor and games in families can play an important role both in creating co-parenting and decreasing of the negative effect of parenting stress on co-parenting.