درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objectives: Task-based speaking courses have gained prominence in language education as an effective approach to enhancing communication skills and learner engagement. By focusing on tasks and interactions, these courses not only promote language proficiency but also foster collaboration among students. The present study was to find whether motivation and anxiety predicted the Iranian EFL learners’ progress in task-based speaking courses. Methods: A total number of 120 intermediate Iranian EFL learners of Safir-e-Andisheh Language Institute in Isfahan, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling following the administration of the Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT). Afterward, a ten-session task-based speaking training was conducted using the speaking tasks presented in American English File-Book 2. The data were collected using the Motivation in Foreign-Language Learning Questionnaire, the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale, and a speaking test. A speaking assessment rubric, comprising vocabulary, grammar, intonation, pronunciation, and fluency, was used to assess speaking on a scale of 1-10. The obtained data were analyzed by standard multiple regression. Results: The findings revealed that interest in foreign languages, pragmatic benefits, and English for professional reputation predicted the speaking progress of EFL learners; furthermore, communication apprehension and fear of negative evaluation significantly predicted the speaking progress of EFL learners. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study highlights the significant role of both motivation and anxiety in predicting the progress of Iranian EFL learners in task-based speaking courses. By understanding these factors, educators can better design programs that enhance learner engagement and improve speaking proficiency.

Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the role of intimacy-based communication therapy intervention on emotional abuse in betrayed women who seek to improve their relationship with their spouse. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, including a control group. The study sample consisted of 30 women experiencing marital difficulties due to spousal infidelity, who were selected through convenience sampling from among women referring to counseling centers in Qeshm County. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 (15 participants in the control group and 15 in the experimental group). The sampling method involved identifying women with marital problems who reported experiencing spousal infidelity. The researcher then assessed their willingness to participate in educational sessions before selecting the final sample. The experimental group underwent an intimacy-based communication therapy intervention, which was conducted in eight 90-minute sessions, held twice a week. Data collection was carried out using the Emotional Abuse Questionnaire developed by Brehimi (2008). The data were analyzed using SPSS software, employing both descriptive statistics (demographic tables and charts) and inferential statistics (covariance analysis). Findings: The findings indicated that intimacy-based communication therapy intervention had a significant effect on emotional abuse and all its dimensions—except for social restriction—among betrayed women seeking to improve their relationship with their spouse. Conclusion: Therefore, intimacy-based communication therapy intervention can be effectively utilized for supporting women and girls who have experienced emotional distress.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy on parenting self-efficacy and distress tolerance in mothers with insecure attachment styles. Methods:  The research method employed was a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all mothers with an insecure attachment style during the 2024-2025 academic year in Ardabil. For this purpose, 30 mothers with an insecure attachment style were selected based on the study's entry criteria using purposive sampling. They were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (15 people) and one control group (15 people). Following a pre-test using the Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale by Dumka et al. (1996) and the Distress Tolerance Scale by Simons and Gaher (2005), the experimental group participated in 8 sessions (2 sessions per week) of 60-minute emotion-focused therapy as developed by Greenberg and Goldman (2019), while the control group maintained their normal routine. The data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of covariance method in SPSS version 26 software. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant difference between the mean parenting self-efficacy (P≤0.001, F=13.98, η p 2 =0.350) and distress tolerance (P<0.001, F=55.00, η p 2 =0.679) of the experimental and control groups in the post-test. Thus, after implementing emotion-focused therapy, the mean scores of mothers with insecure attachment style in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion: As a result, emotion-focused therapy can help mothers with insecure attachment styles enhance their parenting self-efficacy and capacity to tolerate distress. This therapy enables mothers to evaluate and adjust their attachment style, ultimately fostering a secure attachment style.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on cognitive fusion and social anxiety in women suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Methods: This study was an applied, quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, including a control group. The population consisted of all women with generalized anxiety disorder who attended counseling centers in Sari city. The sample included 30 women with generalized anxiety disorder, selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group receiving ACT for social anxiety disorder (Hayes, 2012) and a wait-list control group. Data were collected using the Social Anxiety Questionnaire (Watson & Friend, 1969) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (Gillanders, 2014). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS-26 software. Findings: The results showed significant differences between the ACT treatment group and the control group. ACT was effective in reducing cognitive fusion (F = 15.25, p < .001) and social anxiety (F = 38.86, p < .001) in women with generalized anxiety disorder (p < .001). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy may serve as an effective intervention method for improving cognitive fusion and social anxiety in women with generalized anxiety disorder.

 Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between coping styles and psychological well-being in female heads of households.Methods: The research design was quantitative, descriptive and within the framework of the correlational method. The statistical population of the research was formed by all the women heads of the household in Sarai, Yousef Abad neighborhood of Tehran in 2024. In this study, using convenience sampling, 50 women were selected as samples. In order to collect research data, Coping Styles Questionnaire for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Ryff scale of psychological well-being (RSPWB) were used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software, and research hypotheses and data were analyzed using correlation test, one-sample t, one-factor ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test.Results: The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between problem-oriented coping style and psychological well-being in women heads of households. Also, there is a significant negative relationship between emotional and avoidant coping styles with psychological well-being. According to (P<0.01) for all hypotheses, the level of significance has been proven.Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that female heads of households who use a problem-oriented coping style have a greater sense of self-efficacy and peace of mind, and the use of previous experiences in solving various life problems will make them self-reliant people. And they have higher psychological well-being, and in contrast to female heads of households who use an emotional and avoidant coping style, they have lower psychological well-being.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Paradox Timetable Cure (PTC), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix (ACTM), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on differentiation and emotional self-regulation in women experiencing marital conflicts. Methods: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages. The study sample consisted of 60 women with marital conflicts, selected through purposive sampling from an initial group of 154. The participants were randomly assigned to four groups: PTC, MACT, EFT, and a control group, each containing 15 members. The intervention included ten 90-minute sessions for each therapy group, while the control group received no treatment. Data were collected using the Differentiation of Self Inventory and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used for data analysis. Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in differentiation and emotional self-regulation across all three therapeutic approaches compared to the control group. ACTM and EFT were found to be slightly more effective than PTC in enhancing differentiation and emotional self-regulation (MACT and EFT p = .000, PTC p = .004 in differentiation; ACTM and EFT p = .000, PTC p = .001 in emotional self-regulation). Conclusion: All three therapeutic approaches—PTC, MACT, and EFT—were effective in improving differentiation and emotional self-regulation in women with marital conflicts. However, ACTM and EFT demonstrated marginally higher effectiveness compared to PTC. These findings suggest the utility of these therapies in clinical settings for addressing marital conflicts.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of solution-focused couples therapy on psychological well-being and distress tolerance. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using a pre-test and post-test design with a control group and a follow-up phase. The population consisted of all couples attending counseling centers in Tehran during the last two months of the year 2021. A sample of 30 couples was selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 couples) and a control group (15 couples). The research instruments included the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale (1988) and the Simons and Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005). The experimental group received eight sessions of McDonald's (2007) solution-focused training in a group setting, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis with SPSS software version 21. Findings: The results showed that solution-focused couples therapy had a significant effect on the dimensions of psychological well-being (F = 15.78, p = .001) and distress tolerance (F = 12.00, p = .001); these effects were maintained during the follow-up phase (p < .001). Conclusion: Given the results, therapists can employ solution-focused couples therapy to enhance psychological well-being and distress tolerance among couples, which significantly affects the stability and strength of families.

Objective: The current study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on intimacy, marital adjustment, and forgiveness among couples with a history of extramarital affairs. Methods: The research design was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with a control group. The study population included all women in Tehran who were affected by their husbands' extramarital relationships in 2022. A sample of 30 women affected by such relationships and visiting counseling centers in District 2 of Tehran was selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group in equal numbers. The research instruments included the Thompson and Walker (1983) Intimacy Scale, the Spanier (1976) Marital Adjustment Questionnaire, and the Rye et al. (2001) Forgiveness Questionnaire. The experimental group received EFCT in eight 60-minute sessions over a month; the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance with the aid of SPSS version 23 software. Findings: The findings indicated that EFCT significantly improved intimacy (p < 0.01), marital adjustment (p < 0.01), and marital forgiveness (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy effectively enhances intimacy, adjustment, and forgiveness in couples with a history of extramarital affairs.