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Objective: High-risk behaviors represent a growing concern with important adverse consequences for women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of life skills training in high-risk behaviors and distress tolerance among female prisoners. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a control group. The population comprised all female prisoners in Kerman in 2022. 40 participants were selected via random sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the High-Risk Behavior Questionnaire (Rajaee & Shafiei, 2011) and the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons, J. S., & Gaher, 2005). The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS 26. Results: The results showed that life skills training significantly reduced a wide range of high-risk behaviors, including drug abuse, HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors, violence, alcohol use, and unhealthy eating habits; however, it had no significant effect on smoking (p = 0.25). Additionally, the intervention significantly increased distress tolerance (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Although life skills training was associated with a significant reduction in high-risk behaviors in the present study, evaluating the findings and achieving generalizable results require conducting multiple clinical trials under diverse conditions.
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Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Cano's mindfulness-based couple therapy (2018) on sleep quality and rumination in women experiencing marital burnout. Methods: This research employed an experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all women with divorce experience through the "Masir" system who visited counselling centres for psychological services from December 2023 to January 2024 in Urmia. The sample consisted of 40 participants selected based on convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Pines Marital burnout Scale (1996), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) by Buysse et al. (1989), and the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991). Cano's mindfulness-based couple therapy was conducted in a group format over six 60-minute sessions for three weeks (two sessions per week) at one of the counseling centers, while the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), in SPSS 22. Results: The results indicated Cano's mindfulness-based couple therapy intervention led to an increase in the mean scores of the experimental group compared to the control group in sleep quality and their dimensions, except for medication use. Conversely, it resulted in a decrease in mean rumination scores and its dimensions among women experiencing Marital burnout seeking divorce (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that Cano's (2018) mindfulness-based couple therapy is an effective intervention for improving sleep quality and reducing rumination and their associated dimensions among women seeking divorce. Accordingly, mental health professionals, family counselors, and policymakers may consider integrating this therapeutic approach into preventive and supportive programs designed to strengthen marital relationships and mitigate factors associated with divorce.
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Objective: This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of emotion regulation training in enhancing sexual performance and reducing psychological distress among the partners of pregnant women. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest measures was implemented, involving experimental and control groups. The study population consisted of husbands of pregnant women attending gynecology clinics in Tehran in 2023. A purposive sampling method selected 30 individuals, divided equally into two groups of 15 members each. Data were analysed with multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to compare post-intervention outcomes while adjusting for baseline scores. Results: Data were collected using the Male Sexual Function Questionnaire (Rosen et al., 1997) and the Psychological Distress Questionnaire (Kessler et al., 2003). The experimental group received emotion regulation training over eight one-hour sessions based on Gross’s model, while the control group did not receive this intervention. Results indicated that the emotion regulation training program effectively reduced psychological distress scores and improved sexual function in post-test assessments. Conclusion: Emotion regulation training, based on Gross's model, appears to be a cost-effective and non-pharmacological intervention that significantly enhances emotional-behavioral functions and sexual performance for both women and men.
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Objective: Marital instability affects couple relationships and family structure. Although widely studied, the roles of love schemas and relational maintenance strategies in predicting marital instability have received less attention. This study aimed to examine the role of relational maintenance strategies and love schemas in marital instability among working women. Methods: This study employed a descriptive-correlational research design. The statistical population included married women employed at health centers in Ahvaz. A total of 158 participants were selected through a multi-stage cluster random sampling method during the 2024–2025 years. The research instruments included: Marital Instability Index (Edwards et al., 1987), Relational Maintenance Strategy Measure (Stafford et al., 2000), Love Schema Scale (Singelis et al., 1995). Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis with the use of SPSS27 software. Results: The findings showed that relationship maintenance strategies, including assurance and task sharing, were predictors of marital instability, while love schemas were not able to predict marital instability. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that relational maintenance strategies influence marital instability. These results support clinical and educational interventions in the field of couples therapy that emphasize the enhancement of practical and behavioral skills.
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Objective: Affectional bonds are a key factor in the quality and continuity of couples’ relationships. This study aims to develop a grounded theory to explain the dynamics of couples’ affectional bonds. Methods: This study employed the grounded theory approach, included 25 participants selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation until theoretical saturation was achieved. The participants shared the same national and religious background, but had different socio-economic backgrounds and varying marital relationship qualities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using the constant comparative analysis method. The research’s credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were ensured. Results: The study identified six main categories contributing to couples’ affectionate bonds, organized within a grounded theoretical model (AFRIAS model): Attractiveness as the background factor, Fondness as the core factor, Responsiveness, Intimacy, Adjustment as the processes, and Marital Success as the outcome. Conclusion: The study proposes the data-driven AFRIAS model to conceptualize and understand couples’ affectional bonds, particularly within Iranian society.
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Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-TF) on psychological resilience and marital adjustment in women who have experienced domestic violence with self-harming behaviors. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with two experimental and control groups. The research was conducted on married women victims of domestic violence who were referred to welfare centers in Tehran City, Iran, during the fall and winter of 2024. A total of 36 participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method and were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: an EFT group, a CBT-TF group, and a control group. Data were collected using the Spouse Abuse Experience Questionnaire (Alipour et al., 2019), the Self-Harm Inventory (Sansone et al., 1998), the Resilience Scale (Wagnild, 2009), and the Marital Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976). Data analysis was conducted utilizing Mixed Variance Analysis along with the Bonferroni Test, employing SPSS 27 software. Results: The results of a repeated measures analysis showed significant differences between the EFT, CBT-TF, and control groups ( P < 0.05). Specifically, EFT and CBT-TF had significant effect on psychological resilience and marital adjustment ( P < 0.05). However, the two treatments had no significant difference in increasing resilience and marital adjustment ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-TF) have proven effective in enhancing resilience and promoting marital adjustment. Therefore, psychotherapists and counselors are encouraged to incorporate these approaches to strengthen resilience and foster interpersonal skills in women affected by domestic violence.
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Objective: The strength of the family institution heavily depends on the quality of couples' relationships, with marital adjustment being a key component. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological hardiness in the relationship between spiritual well-being and marital adjustment. Methods: This applied and correlational research was conducted using structural equation modeling. The participants included 303 married employees from knowledge-based companies in Isfahan Science-Research Town, selected through convenience sampling in 2024. Data were collected using Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual well-being Scale (SWBS), Spiner's Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and Kobasa's Psychological Hardiness Questionnaire. Analyses were performed using SPSS and AMOS software version 24. Results: Spiritual well-being had a significant direct effect on marital adjustment (β = 0.357, p <0.01) and psychological hardiness (β = 0.606, p < 0.01). Psychological hardiness also showed a direct effect on marital adjustment (β = 0.239, p< 0.01). Furthermore, spiritual well-being indirectly influenced marital adjustment through psychological hardiness (β = 0.145, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Spiritual Well-being can promote compatibility between couples directly and also through psychological hardiness. This finding can be utilized in psychological interventions by counselors and family therapists.
