مطالب

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of premarital education based on the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method in enhancing marital stability and emotional expressiveness among engaged couples. Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled trial design was used involving 30 participants recruited from premarital counseling centers in Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15), which received a ten-session premarital education program, and a control group (n = 15), which received no intervention during the study period. The intervention was delivered in weekly 60-minute group sessions focusing on interpersonal awareness, emotional literacy, and decision-making in romantic relationships. Standardized instruments were used to measure marital stability and emotional expressiveness at three time points: pretest, posttest, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27 to assess within-group and between-group differences over time. Findings: Results indicated a significant interaction effect between time and group for marital stability (F(2, 56) = 14.72, p < 0.001, η² = 0.34), with the experimental group showing greater improvements compared to the control group. Similarly, emotional expressiveness demonstrated a significant group-by-time interaction (F(2, 56) = 17.59, p < 0.001, η² = 0.38), with post-hoc comparisons revealing that the experimental group had significantly higher scores at both posttest and follow-up phases. All assumptions for repeated measures ANOVA were confirmed prior to analysis. Conclusion: The findings suggest that premarital education based on the Interpersonal Awareness and Choice Method is an effective intervention for promoting emotional expressiveness and marital stability among engaged individuals. These results highlight the value of incorporating structured emotional and interpersonal training into premarital counseling services to support relationship resilience and long-term satisfaction. Keywords: Premarital education, interpersonal awareness, emotional expressiveness, marital stability.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) on differentiation of self and the reduction of intolerance of uncertainty in couples seeking divorce. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest–posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of couples seeking divorce in Tehran, from which 30 couples were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent a 10-session EFCT intervention, each session lasting 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Findings: Findings showed that Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy significantly increased differentiation of self and reduced intolerance of uncertainty in couples seeking divorce. Conclusion: These results suggest that by focusing on core emotions and emotional interactions, it is possible to improve interpersonal relationships and facilitate more informed decision-making in marital relationships. Accordingly, the use of EFCT is recommended in psychological interventions related to divorce crises.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how humor functions as a coping mechanism that contributes to marital satisfaction among couples in Slovenia. Methods and Materials: A qualitative design was employed, relying on semi-structured interviews to capture couples’ lived experiences of humor in marriage. Twenty-four participants (12 couples) from Slovenia, married for at least three years, were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved, with each session lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Trustworthiness was enhanced through peer debriefing, member checking, and triangulation with field notes. Findings: Four major themes emerged from the data: (1) Humor as an Emotional Buffer, where couples described humor as a strategy for stress relief, emotional recovery, and conflict de-escalation; (2) Humor and Intimacy, highlighting the role of shared jokes, playful teasing, and affectionate humor in strengthening closeness and trust; (3) Humor as a Communication Strategy, with participants explaining how humor allowed them to soften criticism, indirectly express sensitive issues, and repair conflicts; and (4) Humor and Marital Resilience, where humor facilitated coping with external stressors, fostered perspective-taking, and sustained hope during challenges such as illness or financial strain. Couples reported that affiliative and self-enhancing humor styles were most beneficial, while aggressive humor could undermine satisfaction. Humor was also noted as increasingly expressed through digital interactions, including memes and messaging. Conclusion: The findings suggest that humor is a multidimensional coping resource in marriage, functioning simultaneously as an emotional, relational, communicative, and resilience-enhancing tool. While humor generally promotes marital satisfaction, its effects depend on style and context. These insights highlight the importance of constructive humor in maintaining healthy, satisfying, and enduring marital relationships.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships between spousal support and marital satisfaction, with gratitude expression as a mediating variable. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with 370 married individuals from Armenia, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sampling table. Data were collected using standardized instruments for marital satisfaction, spousal support, and gratitude expression. Analyses were conducted in two stages: Pearson correlation analysis in SPSS-27 to examine bivariate associations, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediating model. Model fit was evaluated using established indices, including χ²/df, GFI, AGFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA. Findings: Pearson correlations revealed that spousal support was significantly associated with both marital satisfaction (r = .58, p < .001) and gratitude expression (r = .51, p < .001), while gratitude expression was also correlated with marital satisfaction (r = .46, p < .001). SEM demonstrated acceptable model fit (χ²/df = 1.93, GFI = 0.93, AGFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.049). Direct effects showed that spousal support positively predicted marital satisfaction (β = 0.37, p < .001) and gratitude expression (β = 0.44, p < .001), while gratitude expression also predicted marital satisfaction (β = 0.29, p = .001). The indirect effect of spousal support on marital satisfaction through gratitude expression was significant (β = 0.13, p = .002), confirming partial mediation. Conclusion: Findings underscore the dual importance of supportive behaviors and gratitude expression in shaping marital satisfaction. Spousal support enhances satisfaction both directly and indirectly by fostering gratitude, suggesting that couples who both provide support and express appreciation are more likely to sustain fulfilling relationships.

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of spiritual intelligence and family cohesion on youth addiction prevention. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and authoritative reports published between 2000 and 2024. Databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using keywords related to spiritual intelligence, family cohesion, and youth addiction. Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining the relationship between these variables and their role in substance abuse prevention among adolescents and young adults. Findings: The review identified several protective mechanisms through which spiritual intelligence contributes to resilience, such as self-awareness, moral integrity, and emotional regulation. Similarly, family cohesion, characterized by effective communication, emotional support, and strong parental bonds, was found to significantly reduce the risk of substance abuse in youth. An interactive effect was observed, where spiritual intelligence and family dynamics together enhanced adolescents’ ability to cope with stress and peer pressure, minimizing the likelihood of engaging in addictive behaviors. Conclusion: Spiritual intelligence and family cohesion are crucial protective factors in preventing youth addiction. Early interventions that focus on fostering spiritual intelligence and strengthening family relationships can effectively reduce addiction risk. The article emphasizes the need for educational programs and community-based initiatives to promote these protective factors from adolescence.