Journal of counseling research

Lived Experience of Iranian Women and Men’s Adjustment to Divorce: A Qualitative Study

Maryam Gholamzadeh Jofreh

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the life experience of divorced men and women in coping with divorce. Methods: This qualitative study was performed using phenomenological methodology. The research was conducted using purposive sampling of divorced individuals in Shiraz during 1398-99. Finally, after conducting 22 semi-structured interviews, data saturation was reached. The interviews were analyzed using the phenomenological methodology. Results: In this study, 3 main themes and 12 sub-themes were obtained, which are: 1- Family is an effective source in achieving adaptation, 2- Individual resilience, and 3- Social resilience. The theme of family as a source includes 2 sub-themes: Emotional support, material support (acceptance, sympathy, housing, etc.), individual resilience theme including 5 sub-themes of mourning, connection to spirituality, accepting divorce, moving towards excellence, controlling emotions (thanksgiving, accepting current living conditions, planning for the future, growing positive emotions, etc.). The theme of social inclusion includes 2 sub-themes of personal growth, earning income and financial independence (strengthening individual skills, earning income and economic stability, etc.). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the need for comprehensive attention to the issues of divorced men and women after separation and to take effective measures to empower them to achieve adaptation to the conditions after separation

The Experience of Spouse Selection in Divorce-seeking Individuals

Behnaz Hatamikia

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the dimensions of the experiences of spouse selection in divorce-seeking individuals. Methods: The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and phenomenological design. The participants consisted of 10 divorce-seeking individuals, whom were referred with their spouse to the family court of Dezful to file for divorce. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. Results: The results showed that the process of dating in divorce-seeking individuas lies in the two ends of the dating continuum: unconventional and deconstructive or completely traditional and without gradually getting to know each other. Also in divorce-seeking individuals, ignorance, forced marriage or marriage based on emotional criteria, benefits and materialities, caused the criteria to be disregarded, or the criteria did not match the potential future spouse. As a result, the process of determining the criteria was taken lightly. Conclusion: If the process of dating and determining the criteria is taken lightly or without awareness and self-determination (freedom), marriage, whether traditional or non-traditional, is more likely to lead to a decision to separate.

A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Integrative Couple Therapy and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy on Increasing Emotional and Sexual Intimacy of Couples Traumatized by Infidelity

Rahmatollah Noorani poor

Abstract
Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on increasing the emotional and sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity in Shahriar (Andishe city in Iran). Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included couples whose male partner had cheated, and were referred to counseling centers of Andishe city in 2018. Twenty four couples were selected through convenient sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group (8 couples in each group). The subjects in the two experimental groups attended 10 couple therapy sessions, whereas no intervention was carried out for the control group. The subjects responed to the Marital Intimacy Needs Questionnaire (Bagarozzi, 2001). Results: The results of analysis of covariance and block analysis of variance showed that integrative behavioral couple therapy and integrative couple therapy had a significant effect on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in the dimension of sexual intimacy )p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two approaches. Integrative behavioral couple therapy was also effective in increasing emotional intimacy in all components, but this effectiveness was not achieved in integrative couple therapy. Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of integrative couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy on the component of satisfaction with confrontation in sexual intimacy, the use of these approaches in promoting sexual intimacy of couples affected by infidelity may be effective. Also, considering the effectiveness of integrative behavioral couple therapy in increasing emotional and sexual intimacy, this approach can be used by couple therapists.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Combining Contextual and Structural Family Therapies on Cohesion and Coping Strategies of Couples with Marital Dissatisfaction

Ebrahim Namani

Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of combining contextual and structural family therapies on cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital dissatisfaction. Methods: This ‎experimental ‎research study utilized a pretest-‎posttest and two-month follow-‎up, with ‎control group design. The research population consisted of all couples with marital dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in city of Birjand during the first 6 months of 2019. Furthermore, 20 couples with marital dissatisfaction were selected as the participants of the study using convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups (10 couples in each group). The experimental group received the treatment for ten 90-minute weekly ‎sessions and the control group received no intervention during this time. The research instruments included the Lazarus and Folkman (1988) Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The Olson, Portner and Levy (1996) Cohesion Questionnaire, which were administered to the participants in the pretest, post-test and follow-up. To analyze the data, repeated-measures ‎ANOVA‎ was used. Results: The research findings demonstrated that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies was effective regarding cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital unsatisfaction. It should be noted that the persistence of the treatment effect was maintained after two months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies increased cohesion and problem-oriented coping strategies of maladjusted couples in the experimental group, compared to the control group.

Comparison of Mental Disorders and Resilience to Suicide in People With and Without Suicide Attempt Experience

Masoud Asadi

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of mental disorders and resilience against suicide in a suicide attempt. This research is applied, in terms of purpose, and post-event in terms of type. Methods: The statistical population of the study included all young men in Qazvin and the statistical sample included 80 of them who were purposefully selected and divided into two groups of suicide attempters and normal people. The Revised Mental Disorders Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90-R) and the Suicide Resilience Questionnaire (Osman et al., 2004) were utilized to collect data. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of those who attempted suicide were significantly high on aggression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, physical complaints, psychosis, paranoid delusions, depression, and morbid fear than normal individuals. Also, the mean scores of those who attempted suicide were significantly lower than the normal group in the overall score of resilience and internal protective subscales, emotional stability, and external protection (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it is suggested to increase the resilience against suicide with psychological training and with interventions based on psychotherapy theories, to address mental disorders which played an important role in a suicide attempt in the present study, and as such to reduce the risk of suicide.

The Effectiveness of Group Impact Therapy on Life-Satisfaction, Problem-Solving Skills, and Hopefulness of Adolescent Girls with High-Tension Families

Yaser Madani

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of applying the principles of Impact Therapy on problem-solving skills, hopefulness, and life satisfaction in teenage girls living in families with high tension. Methods: This research, in terms of purpose was an applied study using the pretest-posttest control group method. From the community of the 16 to 18-year-old girls from currently divorced parents who had referred to the court during the past 5 years. Individuals were selected through convenience sampling. The life satisfaction questionnaire by Diener, Basadur Creative Problem-Solving and Hopefulness questionnaires were used to collect data. Findings: Intergroup comparison showed that the difference between the mean scores of life satisfaction (p=0.042), problem-solving skills (p=0.049), and hope (p=0.012) between the experimental and control groups was significant. Therefore, administering group Impact Therapy was effective and increased life satisfaction, problem-solving skills and hope of adolescent girls in stressful families. Results: Impact Therapy helped participating teenagers cope with and overcome their stress by promoting resilience. Teenagers from tension-filled families became more determined individuals and gained more control over the events surrounding them. In other words, these interventions helped people to better deal with various issues in life and even consider unpleasant events as opportunities.

Comparison of Cognitive-Social, Cognitive Information Processing, Constructivism and Acceptance and Commitment Methods on Students' Affective Capital Dimensions

mohsen golparvar

Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three methods of career counseling (cognitive-social, cognitive information processing, constructivism) and acceptance and commitment counseling on students' affective capital on ninth grade students. Method: The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design for five groups. The study population was all ninth grade female students in one of the education districts of Isfahan in the 99-98 academic year. The sample consisted of 100 female students who were selected by available and multi-stage sampling based on entry and exit criterias. And were assigned to four experimental groups and one control group (20 people in each group). The research tool was the Emotional Capital Questionnaire (Golparvar, 2016). While the control group did not receive any training, none of the eight experimental groups received training related to each method. All groups were evaluated by research tools before and after the trainings. Results: The collected data were analyzed at two levels of descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multivariate analysis of covariance). The results showed that in comparison with control group there were no effects on feeling energy and positive affect by methods. Constructivism and acceptance and commitment had significant effects on happiness (P <0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two methods. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be said that the constructivism and acceptance and commitment are appropriate methods to increase the happiness of female students.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Self-compassion Treatment, Self-compassion based on Monotheistic Teachings, and Treatment based on Acceptance and Commitment on Happiness and

Najmeh Sedrpoushan

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three approaches of self-compassion treatment, compassion based on religious teachings, and treatment based on acceptance and commitment to reduce depression in married women. Methods: The present study was performed through quasi-experimental method of pre-test and post-test using three experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population of the study was all women referred to counseling centers in Yazd in the year 2020 who were diagnosed with depression. The sample size was 40 people who were selected through available sampling method and randomly assigned to three experimental groups and one control group. In order to measure the happiness and quality of life in the sample, Life satisfaction Scale of Diner et al. (1985), and the Oxford Happiness Scale of Argyle and Lou (1989) were used. In order to analyze the research data, the analysis of covariance was used. Results: The analysis of the findings showed that all three treatments were effective in improving happiness (F=33.25 and effect size, 0.792) and quality of life (F= 89.38 and effect size, 0.911) in women (P<0/01). Also, the results of pairwise comparison of the groups showed that the treatments used in increasing happiness were not significantly different from each other, but compassion treatment based on religious teachings was more effective in improving women's quality of life than the other two treatments (P<0.01). All three methods are effective in increasing happiness and improving the quality of life of depressed married women.