Journal of Counseling Research

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Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of reality therapy and cognitive-behavioral training on empathy and self-control of women with marital conflicts. Methods: The design of the present study was a quasi-experimental with pre/post-test and follow-up, and included a control group. The statistical population of the study included all women with conflict with their husbands who referred to counseling centers in 7^th district of Tehran in 2020. Among them, 60 people were selected by purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental groups and a control group (twenty individuals in each group). Initially, all three groups underwent a pre-test, followed by 8 sessions of reality therapy for the first experimental group (Glasser, 2012) and 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral training (Free, 1999) for the second experimental group. At the end, post-test was performed for all three groups and after three months, a follow-up test was performed to confirm the results. Data collection tools included the Sanai and Barati Marital Conflict Questionnaire, the Julif and Farrington Empathy Questionnaire, and the self-control Questionnaire of Tanji et al. Findings: The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that both reality group therapy and cognitive-behavioral training had a significant effect on empathy and self-control of women with marital conflict (P<0.01). cognitive-behavioral training has been more effective on self-control than reality group therapy. However, reality group therapy has been more effective on empathy than cognitive-behavioral training. Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of both methods on research variables, the use of these trainings by psychologists and counselors in the psychological education program for people with marital conflict is recommended. Also, due to the greater impact of each training on one variable, it is suggested that paired training programs be adjusted based on these findings.

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Aim: Childbearing is a key element in demographic transitions and a cornerstone of sustainable development, particularly for countries experiencing below-replacement fertility. In Iran, the decline in fertility rates has prompted new pro-natalist policies. Accordingly, this study systematically identifies the psychological predictors associated with childbearing intention based on research conducted over the past decade.     Method: This study employed a systematic review of the PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Magiran databases. Both Persian and English studies published between 2016 and 2026 that focused on psychological predictors of childbearing intention were included. The search was conducted using a combination of standard keywords related to childbearing intention and psychological factors. The search, screening, and final article selection processes were carried out independently by two reviewers.    Findings: Based on the inclusion criteria, 38 studies were selected for review and analysis, and two main categories of psychological factors related to increased childbearing intention (including positive attitudes and norms toward parenting, perceived self-efficacy, marital satisfaction, familial emotional support, positive personality constructs, and identity motives) and psychological factors related to decreased childbearing intention (including negative attitudes and emotions, future anxiety and parenting anxiety, dysfunctional beliefs, individualism, and welfare-seeking) were extracted with 12 subcategories.   Conclusion: The findings showed that psychological factors related to decreased childbearing intention dominate over factors related to increased childbearing intention and weaken childbearing intention. Designing interventional strategies and psychological trainings to increase motivation, instill hope, reduce cognitive and emotional problems, and implementing evidence-based government supportive policies and programs are recommended.