مطالب

This article presents a theory using an interpretive approach to explore the role of counseling and psychological services in empowering women in management and leadership positions at universities. The study systematically examines this role through data collected from 22 participants, including students, staff, professors, and female university managers, from Kurdistan University in Sanandaj and Salah al-Din University in Erbil. Participants were purposefully selected, and data was gathered via semi-structured interviews. Analysis involved a novel method and continuous comparative analysis through three-stage theoretical coding. This process identified 300 open codes, 35 central codes, and seven selective codes: mental ability, economic ability, political ability, social ability, group ability, physical ability, and academic ability. The findings revealed that empowerment is a process rather than a product. For counseling and psychological service programs to be effective, all individuals involved in the empowerment process must have a clear understanding of its requirements and methods. Ultimately, the success of these efforts is likely determined by the women themselves. While empowerment is crucial within universities, creating a positive organizational atmosphere and a supportive culture that fosters spontaneous empowerment among female students, employees, and managers is equally important. Moreover, establishing empowerment initiatives strengthens the move towards university independence and reinforces the perception of higher education institutions as unique entities with distinct cultures. The study also highlights the importance of context and situational factors in implementing empowerment, emphasizing the need to avoid applying models that do not align with cultural contexts. Finally, university administrators must be personally committed to empowering women in management and leadership roles before any efforts can be successful.

Purpose: The purpose of the present research was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of progressive resistance exercise and a subsequent detraining period on the indicators of muscle fiber shortening (FS%) and the relative wall thickness (RWT) of the left ventricle in low-mobility women. Method: This semi-experimental study was conducted in a field-laboratory setting. A total of 32 sedentary women, who met the criteria for participation and were able to engage in the exercise protocol, were randomly assigned to two groups: 1) Resistance training group (16 participants), and 2) Control group (16 participants). Anthropometric characteristics, body composition, and structural indices such as left ventricular muscle fiber shortening percentage (FS%) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were measured using an echocardiography device at three intervals: before the start of training, at the end of 8 weeks of training, and after a 4-week detraining period. The training protocol was implemented over 12 weeks, consisting of 8 weeks of training with three sessions per week, followed by 4 weeks of detraining. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of p < 0.05, using SPSS version 21. Results: The results showed a significant difference in FS% between pre-test and post-test measurements for both the experimental and control groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant decrease in FS% was observed in the training group during the detraining period (p < 0.05). Similarly, a significant change in RWT was found between pre-test and post-test measurements in both groups (p < 0.05), and significant changes in RWT were also observed during the detraining period in the training group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that 8 weeks of resistance training led to beneficial changes in the structure and function of the heart in sedentary women. However, the 4-week detraining period resulted in negative effects on these adaptations. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals engage in regular and structured resistance training to maintain these positive adaptations.