Journal of counseling research

Processual we‑ness; Lived experience; Interpretative phenomenology; Shared horizon; We‑consciousness; Couple therapy; Marital relationship

Kiomars Farahbakhsh

Aim: Previous research has primarily examined the experience of “we-ness” in marital relationships through linguistic indicators or cognitive constructs, paying less attention to how this experience emerges and evolves in couples’ everyday lives. The present study aimed to explore the lived experience of “we-ness” and to understand how it develops, is maintained, changes, and becomes consolidated within marital relationships. Methods: This study employed an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Participants consisted of eight couples in relatively intimate and stable marital relationships who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings: The findings indicated that we-ness in marital relationships is not a fixed state but rather a dynamic and evolving process. Five major themes emerged from the analysis: the formation of we-ness, relationship regulation based on we-ness, relational awareness of the couple’s shared identity, redefining we-ness during crises and challenging relational situations, and the consolidation of we-ness. The findings suggest that couples gradually develop a shared identity, negotiate a balance between individuality and togetherness, become more aware of relational patterns, redefine their relationship in the face of crises, and ultimately achieve a more stable experience of we-ness. Conclusion: The results suggest that we-ness can be understood as an ongoing process involving the formation, regulation, reflection, reconstruction, and consolidation of a shared relational identity. Accordingly, attention to the quality of couples’ experience of we-ness may help therapists move beyond a sole focus on conflict resolution and instead strengthen shared identity, enhance relational awareness, and support the reconstruction of couple bonds during difficult periods of life. By introducing the concept of processual we-ness, the present study provides a framework for understanding the dynamic nature of shared identity in marital relationships.

Exploring Marital Virtues among Married Men: A Phenomenological Study

Maryam Fatehizade

Aim: The present study aimed to explore and identify marital virtues among married men. Method: A qualitative approach using interpretative phenomenological methodology was employed to achieve the research goal. The study participants were married men and women residing in the Isfahan, whose length of marriage ranged from 5 to 20 years in 2024. Participants were selected through purposive sampling from individuals accessible to the researcher, resulting in a sample of 20 participants (10 men and 10 women). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Finding: The findings were ultimately organized into 47 subcategories, 8 main categories, and 2 themes. The extracted main categories included caregiving, relational wisdom, steadfast loyalty and commitment, respect and reverence, intelligent adjustment, gentleness and emotional stability, marital prudence, and spirituality-based tranquility. Conclusion: The results indicate the existence of two broad categories of marital virtues among married men. Inner-regulatory virtues pertain to intrapersonal processes that foster psychological and moral readiness for healthy engagement with the challenges of married life. In contrast, relationship-responsive virtues emerge within direct interaction with one’s spouse and relate to how individuals respond to the needs, expectations, and demands of the marital relationship. The formation of a healthy and high-quality marital relationship requires the simultaneous presence and interaction of these two moral dimensions. It is therefore suggested that enhancing marital virtues in men may provide a foundation for improving the quality of marital relationships among married individuals.

The Narrative of Iranian Adolescents and Young Adults of the 12-Day War: A Qualitative Study in the Family Context

Seyyedeh Fatemeh Mousavi

Studying the psychological state of adolescents during war and the impact of military conflict on their mental health is an undeniable necessity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of military hostilities in the 12-day war imposed by the Zionist regime on Iran on the psychological state of adolescents and young adults within the family context. This descriptive study employed a qualitative approach using content analysis. A total of 24 unmarried adolescents and young adults (age range 15–24 years; mean±SD = 19.33±2.71), primarily residing in Tehran province, participated virtually in a structured interview. Responses were analyzed across six domains: interpretation and perception of war, expression of emotions and psychological/behavioral reactions, coping with one's own reactions and those of others, family reactions, and future evaluation under the influence of war. In total, 23 general categories and 56 subcategories were extracted. Findings indicated that adolescents' perception of war could be examined in three categories: personal interpretation, identity-based, and value-based. Their psychological-behavioral reactions included hypervigilance, mood disturbances, ambivalent emotions, habituation and normalization, and self-resilience. Coping with reactions emerged in three patterns: distancing from reality, active psychological reactions, and spiritual reactions. Families responded through inaction, distancing, anxiety, active reactions, and spiritual responses. Future evaluation was categorized into five themes: self and socially oriented behaviors, unpredictable future, continuation of normal life routines, and perceived negative consequences. In conclusion, war as a critical and traumatic phenomenon is interpretable within the national-religious-historical identity context of each culture.

Family Dynamics in Adolescents with a History of Self-Injurious Behaviors: A Qualitative Study

Simin Hosseinian

Aims: The present study was conducted to investigate family dynamics in adolescents with a history of self- Injurious behaviors. Method: The research method was qualitative and based on phenomenology. The target population consisted of adolescents with self-harming behaviors in Tehran in 2024 who had referred to counseling and psychological service centers. In order to conduct this study, 20 adolescents were selected through purposive sampling based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the Braun and Clark (2006) thematic analysis method and the extracted themes were organized and summarized in the form of main and sub-themes. Results: The interviews were summarized at three levels of primary concepts (178 concepts), sub-themes, and main themes, which were divided into three main themes; The first main theme (positive family dynamics) included 13 sub-themes, the second main theme (negative family dynamics) included 27 sub-themes, and the third main theme (role of the extended family) included 4 sub-themes. Conclusion: Based on the research findings, in the lived experience of adolescents with self-injurious behaviors, family dynamics are experienced in diverse and sometimes contradictory ways. Some participants spoke of the existence of supportive interactions, favorable emotional connections, and aspects of positive family functioning, while others described family conflicts, dysfunctional communication patterns, and negative experiences in the family. Also, in the participants' experience, the extended family was also presented in some cases as a source of support and in some cases as part of challenging family dynamics. It is worth noting that observing some positive dynamics in families does not mean ignoring or downplaying self-harming behaviors, and this study merely describes the dynamics experienced by participants and does not make any judgments about the impact or causal relationship of these dynamics with self-harming behaviors.

The Mediating Role of Meaning in Life and Loneliness in Suicidal Ideation Following Romantic Breakdowns

Zahra Jahanbakhshi

Objective: Suicidal ideation is a significant public health concern influenced by various factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between romantic breakup and suicidal ideation, with the mediating roles of loneliness and meaning in life.
Method: This study employed a correlational descriptive design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of all students residing in Tehran, aged 18 to 35 years. A sample of 424 participants was selected through convenience sampling. The instruments included the Romantic Breakup Questionnaire (Rosse, 1999), Suicidal Ideation Scale (Beck et al., 1979), Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al., 2006), and Loneliness Scale (DiTommaso et al., 2004). Data analysis was conducted using SEM with SPSS and AMOS software.
Findings: The results indicated that the data fit the proposed model well, and all direct and indirect paths were significant. Romantic breakup had a direct positive effect on suicidal ideation (β = 0.15) and on loneliness (β = 0.46), and a direct negative effect on meaning in life (β = -0.20). Meaning in life had a negative direct effect on suicidal ideation (β = -0.22), while loneliness had a positive direct effect on suicidal ideation (β = 0.29). The indirect effects were also significant through the mediation of meaning in life (95% CI [0.02, 0.08]) and loneliness (95% CI [0.09, 0.18]) on suicidal ideation.
Conclusion: Part of the impact of romantic breakup on suicidal ideation is exerted through changes in loneliness and meaning in life. Interventions focusing on strengthening social bonds and encouraging participation in meaningful activities may help reduce the risk of suicide among individuals who have experienced a romantic breakup.

Structural Relations Perceived Social Support With Exam-Related Academic Anxiety in Senior High School and Pre-University Students: The Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation

Leila Ebrahimi varzaneh

Aim: The present study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and academic anxiety in students, and the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation in this relationship. Focusing on both interpersonal and intrapersonal mechanisms, the study sought to clarify how perceived support from family, friends, and teachers can reduce exam- and entrance-test-related anxiety by enhancing students’ emotion regulation capacities. Methods: This correlational study used a multistage cluster sampling method with 210 senior high school and pre-university students in Isfahan. Data were analyzed using multiple regression in SPSS after obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality. Instruments included the Sarason Test Anxiety Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the short version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, all with established reliability and validity. Findings: Findings indicated that perceived social support had a significant negative direct effect on difficulties in emotion regulation, while difficulties in emotion regulation had a significant positive direct effect on academic anxiety. Bootstrap analysis showed a significant indirect effect of perceived social support on academic anxiety through difficulties in emotion regulation, confirming its mediating role. Conclusion: Results suggest that perceived social support is associated with reduced difficulties in emotion regulation and lower academic anxiety, with part of its effect operating through improved emotion regulation skills. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening supportive networks and teaching emotion regulation strategies in educational and psychological interventions to sustainably reduce students’ academic anxiety.

The effectiveness of Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on internalized shame students with social anxiety

Parviz porzoor

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on internalized shame in students with social anxiety.

Methods: The present research method is a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The statistical population of the research includes all male students with symptoms of social anxiety in the second year of high school in the academic year of ۱۴۰۲-۱۴۰۱ in Ardabil city. 34 people were selected by purposive sampling method after social anxiety test (SPIN) and clinical interview and were divided into two groups of ۱۷ people, experimental and control. The experimental group received the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol of Fleming, Kukowski, and Harris, but the control group did not receive any training. Before and after the treatment sessions, The Internalized Shame Questionnaire (ISS) were used. Data were analyzed by multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance.

Results: The findings indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of internalized shame. The results showed that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has a significant effect on the initial internalized shame in students with social anxiety (p<۰.۰۵).

Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicate that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy plays a significant role in reducing feelings of internalized shame among students with social anxiety.

The Structural Effect of Insecure Attachment Styles on Symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in students: The Mediating Roles of Mentalization and Self-Compassion

Mahmoud Najafi

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the structural effect of insecure attachment styles on body dysmorphic symptoms in students, with the mediating roles of mentalization and self-compassion.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population included all first and second grade high school students in Karaj during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 397 students was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. The instruments used included the Fear of Body Image Concern Inventor (Littleton et al., 2005), Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed for data analysis.
Findings: The results showed that both avoidant (β = 0.15, P = 0.004) and ambivalent (β = 0.16, P = 0.002) dimensions of insecure attachment had a direct and significant effect on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of insecure attachment styles, including avoidant (β = 0.199, P = 0.001) and ambivalent (β = 0.218, P = 0.001), on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms through the mediating variables of mentalization and self-compassion was confirmed, and the model demonstrated a good fit.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, insecure attachment styles, by reducing mentalization and self-compassion, contribute to increased body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in students. These results emphasize the necessity of considering mediating variables in clinical and educational interventions related to body dysmorphic disorder. It is suggested that in preventive and therapeutic programs, enhancing mentalization and self-compassion, along with addressing insecure attachment styles, be taken into consideration.