Journal of counseling research

The effect of religious-ontological-based intervention on clinical symptoms and existential thinking of students with depressive disorder: a multiple baseline case study

Yasser Rezapour-Mirsaleh

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of religious-ontological-based intervention on clinical symptoms and existential thinking of students with depressive disorder. Methods: This research was carried out in the framework of a single-case experimental study with three students with symotomos of depression who were selected through purposeful sampling from the students of Ardakan University (Yazd, Iran) during the academic year of 2022-2023. Each individual participant received 8 sessions of intervention based on religious ontology, twice during the baseline phase, three times during the treatment phase, and twice during the follow-up phase. Beck depression questionnaire (1996) and Allen and Scherer's scale of existential thinking (2012) were utilized as measurement instruments. To analyze the data, graphical analysis method was used to determine the recovery percentage and reliable change index. Findings: The findings showed significant clinically and statistical improvements in the existential thinking and decreased depression after treatment (p<.01). After two months, a follow-up was done where differences were maintained, which indicates the sustainability of the therapeutic effects. Conclusion: Regarding the results, it can be concluded that religious-ontological-based intervention can be used to increase the existential thinking and to reduce depression in the students with depressive disorder. Considering that Iranian society has a coherent religious context and religion has a special status in people's lives, this intervention can be effective in reducing depression symptoms.

Predicting Addiction to Social Media Based on Family Resilience and Family Emotional Atmosphere among Adolecent Girls

Abbas amanelahi

Aim: The present study aimed to predict social media addiction among female adolescents based on family resilience and emotional atmosphere of the family. Methods: The method of the present study was correlational (discriminant analysis). The research population included high school female students (12 to 18 years old) in Ahvaz city, from which 412 people were selected, 206 people in the group were identified to have addiction to social media and 206 people in the group did not have addiction to social media. The selection of the sample group was done through available sampling method and participants were recuited through the internet. Data collection tools included Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Sixby Family Resilience Scale (FRAS) and Hillburn Family Emotional atmosphere Questionnaire (EAF). The discriminate analysis method was used to analyze the data. Findings: The results showed that the linear combination of the predictor variables of the research was able to predict the group membership of teenagers with social media addiction and those without social media addiction. Also, step-by-step analysis determined that both variables are significant predictors for addiction to social media. Conclusion: Considering the role of family resilience and family emotional atmosphere in social media addiction, improving family resilience and family emotional atmosphere can be effective in preventing and treating social media addiction.

Construction and Assessment of the Psychometric Characteristics of the Sahm-based Lifestyle Questionnaire

Fahimeh Shadabmehr

Aim: The present research was conducted with the purpose of designing and determining some psychometric characteristics of the Sahm-based lifestyle questionnaire, and this study was done with a practical goal. Methods: The statistical population of the research included all people aged 18 to 60 living in Tehran in 2023, of which 389 people were selected through available sampling and answered the questionnaire. In order to check the validity of the questionnaire, the method of exploratory factor analysis was used, and the content validity of the instrument was confirmed by consulting experts. In order to check the reliability of the tool, Cronbach's alpha method was used. All statistical analyzes were performed by SPSS-25 software. Findings: Based on the findings of the research, exploratory factor analysis with principal components showed that the Sahm-based lifestyle questionnaire is a 13-component tool that explains 57.24 percent of the “Sahmgozari” (partake or sharing) variance. Cronbach's alpha of the whole questionnaire is 0.93 and for components such as meaning-based (0.78), responsibility-based (0.74), agency (0.73), security-based (0.71), principle-based (0.73), respect-based (0.71), intention-based (0.73) , personal peace (0.80), the best role-playing (0.72), formative relationships (0.67), bond-making (0.63), harmonization with goals (0.63), and selectiveness (0.65) were reported. Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that the Sahm-based lifestyle questionnaire has appropriate and acceptable validity and reliability in the sample of participants in the research.

A Systematic Review of Factors associated with Complicated Grief

Emad Yousefi

Aim: This research was conducted with the aim of providing a comprehensive summary of empirical evidence related to complicated bereavement. Methods: This was a qualitative research using systematic review of sources. In this regard, initially, the research literature related to bereavement during the years 2000 to 2021 were examined. The number of 547 articles were identified as related. Finally, according to the entry or inclusion criteria, 42 studies were selected and examined in the final stage. Data were reviewed by two reviewers working independently, and examined using the tool proposed by PRISMA (2009). The reviewers compared the data and discussed disagreements to reach consensus. Consensus data were used in the final analysis. Findings: Finally, data was placed in two groups: Therapeutic factors (encouraging self-regulation, sharing pain with others or restorative retelling, facing or reviewing avoidant situations, reviewing positive memories of the deceased person and inviting negative memories) and risky factors (weakness in mourning rituals, little social support, negative meaning of loss) were placed. Conclusion: Social support is especially important in the treatment of people suffering from complicated grief.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness based Compassion Therapy and Positive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Self-Efficacy of Female Headed Households

Tayebeh Sharifi

Aim: Due to the lack of proper training, female-headed households are suddenly faced with a lot of responsibilities without prior training, as a result of which they suffer stressful conditions and psychological pressure, and finally, the self-efficacy of these females is affected. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based compassion therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy on female-headed households' self-efficacy. Methods: The design of this research was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and three-month follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of research included female-headed households in Shahrekord in the year 2022. In this research, 60 women whose self-efficacy questionnaire score were between 17 and 34 were selected through purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups and one control group (20 persons in each group). Then, the experimental groups were treated with eight 120-minute mindfulness-based compassion therapy and positive cognitive-behavioral therapy. The data were collected from the GSE-17 self-efficacy questionnaire, and finally, were analyzed through repeated measure analysis of variance. Findings: The findings showed that in the two stages of post-test and follow-up, the average score of self-efficacy in the two experimental groups was significantly different from the control group. Also, the results of the findings indicated the greater effectiveness of positive cognitive-behavioral therapy. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, it is suggested to use positive cognitive-behavioral therapy along with other treatment methods to increase the self-efficacy of female-headed households.

The Native Model of Challenges of Transitioning Students from University to Work: A Grounded Theory Research

Simin Hosseinian

Aim: The transition from university to work is one of the most sensitive periods in the lives of the educated, which can be a challenging or a relatively calm developmental stage. Therefore, the quality the type of this transition can affect the future career path as well as other life transitions. The purpose of the current research is to identify the challenges of the transition of students from university to work in the form of developing a native theoretical model. Methods: This research was conducted qualitatively using the grounded theory in 1401 .Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 undergraduate and graduates of the University of Isfahan using the method of purposive sampling, considering the rule of saturation. Findings: The results indicated the identification of 52 concepts and 15 categories. The model of the challenges of transitioning from university to work were compiled into 1. Causal conditions: Weakness in basic skills, self-awareness, psychological capitals, incompatibility of the individual characteristics with the field, low adaptability, lack of work experience; 2. Contextual conditions: Lack of environmental support, geographical location, imbalance between the supply and demand of the field in society; 3. Intervening conditions: Networking behavior; 4. Strategies: Skill training in a job unrelated to the field, education without a goal in postgraduate studies, willingness to migrate; and 5. The consequences: Individual, and social consequences. Conclusion: The results indicate that the challenges of students' transition from university to work are classified into two general categories: Challenges related to lack of preparedness (intrapersonal) and environmental factors (extra-personal). Therefore, the successful transition from university to work can be seen as dependent on two general factors: Intrapersonal (preparedness) and extra-personal (environment. ( The sum of these factors is effective in preparing students for transition .Specialists can help in preparing and the successful transition of students from university to work and in preventing unemployment and its resulting harms.

Predicting the experience of Flow at work based on job self-efficacy: Mediating organizational support

Mehdi Zare Bahram Abadi

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of studying the mediating role of organizational support in the relationship between self-efficacy and work immersion. Methods: The research method was correlational and structural equations were used. The statistical population included all the employees of the oil company in 1400-1401 and among them, 320 people were selected as a sample using a simple random sampling method. The data collection tool included the questionnaire on the experience of flow at work (Talabighi, 2013), the occupational self-efficacy questionnaire of Riggs and Knight (1994), and the organizational support questionnaire by Eisenberg (1986). Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis using AMOS and SPSS software. Findings: The results showed that job self-efficacy has a direct and positive effect on organizational support and the experience of work immersion (P ≤ 0.001). Also, organizational support had a direct and positive role in explaining the variance of job self-efficacy (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Organizational support plays a mediating role in the relationship between work immersion experiences and job self-efficacy (P ≤ 0.001). Based on the results of the research, organizations may facilitate the effect of proactive employee behavior by implementing human resource practices and by facilitating transformational leadership behaviors, so it can inspire researchers and practitioners who want to create, strengthen, and facilitate optimal experiences at work.