درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Objective: Mental health has remained an issue that affects various age groups with different levels of outcomes. One age group that needs urgent attention is the in-school adolescents. Studies have used various predictors to explore in-school adolescents’ mental health with varied results. Therefore, this study investigated parental verbal abuse, substance use and self-esteem as predictors of mental health among in-school adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted while purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select three local government areas and 200 in-school adolescents for the study. Data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Hare Self-esteem Scale, Verbal Abuse Questionnaire and Substance Use Scale and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results: The results revealed that parental verbal abuse, substance use and self-esteem jointly predicted mental health among study participants [R2=.12, F (4,199) = 6.64, p <.05]. Also, parental verbal abuse (β = -.20, p < .05) and self-esteem (β = -.20, p < .05) independently predicted mental health among study participants. However, substance use (β = -.11, p >.05) did not independently predict mental health among study participants. Conclusion: The study concludes that parental verbal abuse, substance use and self-esteem are strong predictors of mental health among study participants. The paper recommended that in order to enhance the mental health of in-school adolescents, government and other stakeholders should advocate for the development and implementation of policies that prioritize mental health support and resources for adolescents within Lagos State and Nigeria.

 Objective: This study investigated Gender-Leadership in the ivory tower, a survey of higher education institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A simple random sampling method was used to select a sample size of 372 academic and non-academic staff for this study. The instrument used for the study was the Gender-Leadership Questionnaire (GLQ). Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using a t-test.Results: The findings revealed no significant difference in the mean rating scores of women representations in leadership positions in Taraba State institutions of higher learning between academic and non-academic staff. Furthermore, the findings revealed no significant difference in the mean rating scores of underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in Taraba State institutions of higher learning between academic and non-academic staff. Women's representation in leadership positions is lopsided in favor of their male counterparts.Conclusion: Factors that contribute to women's underrepresentation in leadership positions include cognitive bias, uneven access to knowledge, opportunities and administrative responsibility, and societal privileges that favor the males among others.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to design a model of self-care culture for the elderly, which was conducted using a mixed approach. Methods: This research is developmental in terms of its objective and is descriptive-correlational based on its methodology, utilizing Excel software for analysis. The statistical population in the qualitative section consisted of 28 academic experts in the fields of medicine, nursing, and sociology. These experts were selected based on criteria such as experience, relevance of academic discipline, educational degree, university teaching, and research and publication background in this area, using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Findings: The output of this stage included 47 categories in the form of 6 components (self-care knowledge, self-care self-efficacy, self-care skills, spiritual self-care discipline, self-care self-centeredness, and social self-care norms). Self-care knowledge is the foundation for developing a self-care culture among the elderly. Spiritual self-care discipline and self-care self-centeredness fall into the dependent cluster, meaning they are primarily the result of the elderly self-care culture model and changes in other components of the model lead to changes in these components. Additionally, self-care self-efficacy is in the interdependent cluster, indicating that this component is dynamic and any change in it can affect the model. Self-care knowledge also lies in the independent cluster and influences other components. Conclusion: The self-care culture model provides the groundwork for creating conditions and infrastructures that lead to the empowerment of individuals and society for self-care.

Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the central nervous system, and the disability resulting from the disease impacts self-efficacy and various mental health dimensions of these patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to propose a structural model for predicting psychological well-being and emotional regulation based on resilience and self-efficacy among MS patients in Tehran. Methods: Given its objective, this research is of the applied type and descriptive in nature concerning data collection methods, specifically employing structural equation modeling. The statistical population of this study included all individuals with MS attending treatment centers in Tehran in 2021, with a minimum sample size estimated at 150. The variables studied were based on the Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale, the Gross and John's Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Schwarzer and Jerusalem's Self-Efficacy Scale. Ultimately, data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in AMOS software. Findings: According to the study's findings, all standardized coefficient values related to the dimensions of the latent variables were higher than 0.4, indicating that this measurement model has adequate reliability regarding the items of latent variables. Critical ratio values are usually introduced as validity parameters associated with the structural model and, in this study, all values were significant and outside the range of (-1.96, 1.96), with Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability values greater than 0.7 and AVE values greater than 0.5. Conclusion: Thus, the model enjoys appropriate validity and reliability.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the sexual health of adolescents living in residential centers based on the opinions of experts in the city of Isfahan. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis. The participants included sexual health experts from the city of Isfahan, selected through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. These individuals were examined using semi-structured interviews, and data saturation was achieved with 10 interviews. Findings: After data analysis and coding, 94 initial codes, 11 axial codes, and 4 core codes were extracted. The core codes included the experience of negative emotions, various sexual disorders, experiences of neglect and rejection in the environment, and incorrect sexual upbringing. The axial codes were classified as feelings of hatred towards one's body due to sexual exploitation and income, belief in one's own badness due to sexual abuse, sexual problems of abused adolescents, inclination towards same-sex attraction, confusion about sexual orientation, sexual abuse of adolescents living in centers, lack of proper sexual education in the adolescents' families, inability to protect oneself due to the absence of support in situations of sexual abuse, compensating for rejection through non-committal sexual-emotional relationships, sexual vulnerability related to insecure attachment, and incorrect sources of sexual information. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that adolescents living in residential centers face sexual health problems. It is recommended that psychologists and supervisors of these centers use the findings of this study to improve the sexual health of adolescents.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to develop and validate a structural model of marital satisfaction among married women, based on self-differentiation, critical thinking, and emotional self-regulation, with happiness as a mediating variable. Methods and Materials: This study utilized a quantitative, descriptive-correlational design with a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The sample comprised married women who visited the counseling centers at the University of Tehran between January 2023 and August 2023. A total of 330 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires, including the Self-Differentiation Scale, Critical Thinking Questionnaire, Emotional Self-Regulation Scale, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. The data were analyzed using SEM to assess the model's fit and test the hypothesized relationships between variables. Findings: The results indicated that the proposed structural model fit the data well, with satisfactory model fit indices (χ²/df = 3.618, RMSEA = .061, CFI = .923). Self-differentiation (β = .217, p = .033), critical thinking (β = .230, p = .01), and emotional self-regulation (β = .201, p = .01) had significant direct effects on marital satisfaction. Additionally, happiness significantly mediated the relationships between self-differentiation (β = .229, p = .01), critical thinking (β = .178, p = .01), and emotional self-regulation (β = .200, p = .01) with marital satisfaction. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of self-differentiation, critical thinking, and emotional self-regulation as key factors influencing marital satisfaction among married women. The mediating role of happiness highlights its significance in enhancing marital satisfaction by fostering positive emotions and reducing stress.

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 primary objective of this study was to examine the educational damages faced by children of divorce. Divorce is a significant life event that imposes stress on the entire family, especially on children. Methods: This study employed a systematic review of existing literature to identify key educational damages faced by children of divorce. A total of 3,296 articles were initially retrieved from databases, and through a rigorous selection process based on relevance, 27 studies were chosen for in-depth analysis. The indicators were categorized into 9 criteria using a coding framework, with each indicator representing a unique educational challenge or damage. Findings: The review identified 72 educational indicators categorized into key themes such as academic decline, dropout rates, concentration and attention issues, cognitive development impairments, and reduced resources for education. The most frequent issues were poor academic performance, lack of concentration, and dropout rates. Children from divorced families exhibited significantly more challenges in school performance, motivation for achievement, and learning compared to those from intact families. The absence of a stable emotional and financial environment exacerbated these issues, further contributing to academic setbacks. Conclusion: The findings highlight the severe impact of parental divorce on children's educational performance and mental well-being. Academic decline, lack of concentration, and emotional maladjustment are common issues, often leading to school dropout. Effective interventions, including parental education and structured support programs, are crucial to reducing the educational damages faced by children of divorce. Schools and counselors must be trained to address these challenges and work collaboratively with parents to create a supportive learning environment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Imago therapy-based couples therapy on improving communication skills, conflict resolution, and sensitivity to rejection among couples attending counseling centers in Masjed Soleyman. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted with a pre-test, post-test, control group design, and follow-up. The population of this study included all couples visiting counseling centers in Masjed Soleyman in 2019, with twenty couples (40 individuals) randomly divided into experimental and control groups (10 couples per group). Participants in the experimental group underwent ten two-hour training sessions, while the control group did not receive any training. Participants were assessed using the Quinndom Communication Skills questionnaire, the Sanayi Zaker et al.'s Standard Sensitivity to Rejection, and the Downey and Feldman Marital Conflict questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance via SPSS software version 22. Findings: The results showed that training based on Imago therapy significantly altered the experimental group's communication skills, conflict resolution, and sensitivity to rejection compared to the control group. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, Imago therapy training can be considered an effective method for improving communication skills, conflict resolution, and sensitivity to rejection among couples.

Previous studies generally showed that achievement goals are linked with academic engagement. However, the association between the newly-developed model of achievement goals (i.e. the 3*2 model) and agentic engagement has received relatively little attention. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of this relationship is unclear, more specifically, among university students. Guided by the assumptions of the control-value theory of emotions, epistemic curiosity could be a potential mediator. The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of epistemic curiosity in the relationship between achievement goals and agentic engagement among 350 university students from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in the academic year of 2019-2020. Participants completed the measures of the Achievement Goals Questionnaire, Epistemic Curiosity Scale, and Agentic Engagement Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.0 and AMOS software. The findings showed that epistemic curiosity significantly mediated the association between approach goals and avoidance goals with agentic engagement (P<0.001). Overall, the findings offer new evidence on the association between variables of the present study and shed light on the underlying processes. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.