مطالب

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of happiness training based on Lyubomirsky’s model in reducing negative emotions and enhancing cognitive flexibility in this population. Methods and Materials: This study employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest control group format. The statistical population included mothers of children with autism who attended the "Golhaye Beheshti" Center in Qom during spring 2024. A total of 30 participants were selected through simple random sampling and assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of happiness training. The research instruments included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale developed by Dennis and Vander Wal (2009). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Findings: The results indicated that Lyubomirsky’s happiness training significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress levels while significantly increasing cognitive flexibility in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Happiness-based intervention can serve as an effective strategy for promoting the mental health of mothers of children with autism by alleviating negative emotions and strengthening their cognitive capacities. Keywords: Happiness training, depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive flexibility, mothers, autism spectrum disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how parents in mixed heritage families in Malaysia engage in ethnic-racial socialization and transmit cultural identity to their children within the context of a multicultural society. Methods: Using a qualitative grounded theory approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 parents from diverse mixed heritage backgrounds residing in Malaysia. Participants were selected through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation guided the endpoint of data collection. Interviews focused on participants’ practices, challenges, and perspectives regarding cultural identity transmission in the home. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using NVivo software, employing open, axial, and selective coding to generate a conceptual framework grounded in participants’ narratives. Findings: Five main categories emerged: Cultural Identity Transmission, Language and Communication, Navigating Racial Bias, Family Dynamics, and Community and Social Engagement. Parents engaged in intentional practices such as storytelling, celebration of traditions, and bilingual upbringing to reinforce cultural heritage. They also described emotional and strategic responses to racial bias, as well as negotiation between co-parenting and intergenerational influences. Language was both a bridge and a barrier, shaping identity and familial cohesion. Parents sought external support through cultural events and digital communities to validate and enrich their children’s mixed identities. These findings highlight the emotional labor and adaptive strategies involved in raising bicultural children in socially stratified environments. Conclusion: Ethnic-racial socialization in mixed heritage families is a complex, multifaceted process involving intentional practices, emotional negotiations, and contextual adaptations. Parents act as cultural mediators, balancing heritage preservation with societal integration.