Journal of Counseling Research

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Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of theory of mind training on social skills of students with oppositional defiant disorder. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest and control group. Thirty students with oppositional defiant disorder were chosen through available sampling from among those referred to the cultural center of the city of Kermanshah in 2016, and  randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The tools used included the Gresham & Elliott and Elliott Social skills Grading Scale and the Sakuma Oppositional Defiance Disorder List. The experimental training group received theory-of-mind in 10 one-hour sessions. Data analysis was performed using covariance analysis. Results: In the post-test phase, the mean of social skills increased significantly in the experimental group, compared to the control group (P <0.01). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that teaching the theory-of-mind is effective on the social skills of students with oppositional defiance disorder.

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of strengths-based career counseling on career exploration, career self-efficacy and dysfunctional career thoughts regulation among unemployed graduates. Methods: study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-post-follow up design and a control group. Research population consisted of all unemployed female graduates in city of Islamabad Gharb in 2018. Convenient sampling method was employed and through inclusion criteria, 28 individuals were selected and then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (14 in each group). The intervention involved four 90-minute weekly sessions using strengths-based career counseling. The control group did not receive any intervention. Career exploration survey, career self-efficacy scale and dysfunctional career thoughts scale were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using ANCOVA statistical method. Findings: The results showed that there is a significant difference at the post-test stages between experimental and control group in career exploration (P <0.001; F = 68.66; P <0.001; F = 102.99), career self-efficacy (P <0.001; F = 34.31; P <0.001; F = 47.94) and dysfunctional career thoughts (P <0.001; F = 7.89; P <0.001; F = 88.22). Also this difference is stable over the time, at the follow up in three month. Conclusion: It is recommended that executive directors and education officials conduct strengths-based career counseling for students on a large scale.

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Aim: Empty nest syndrome refers to the feelings of sadness and loneliness experienced by parents or caregivers after their children leave home. This study aimed to explore the coping strategies employed by individuals with this syndrome who demonstrate high levels of psychological well-being. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. In 2023, 137 parents from Islam Abad Gharb, Iran, completed the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire (Dahashiri et al., 2013), of whom 23 scored more than one standard deviation above the mean. Based on inclusion criteria, 13 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via unstructured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method, following three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. Findings: Analysis yielded 251 open codes, 39 axial codes, and 3 selective codes, reflecting individual, family, and social coping strategies. Conclusion: The use of individual strategies such as self-awareness and positive thinking, family strategies including enhanced communication and empathy, and social strategies such as participation in religious and community activities can help alleviate symptoms of empty nest syndrome and promote better psychological adaptation among parents