Journal of Counseling Research

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The aim of this study was to predict the feeling of loneliness and tendency to divorce based on attachment styles according to the role of mediation self-differentiation. This study is of descriptive method and the design is correlational based on path analysis. The study population included all divorce-seeking couples referring to branches 6, 7 and 8 and enforcement branch of family court in Shahre rey, Tehran in 2016. Using available sampling method, 200 subjects were selected. The data were collected using four questionnaires: The UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1996) Differentiation of Self Inventory (Skowron & Smith, 2003), Divorce Tendency Scale (Rusbult, 1986), and Adult Attachment Scale (Colins & Read, 1990). The results of the analysis were analyzed using structural equation analysis. Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between attachment styles with loneliness and tendency to divorce. There is also a significant relationship between self-differentiation with loneliness and tendency to divorce. Finally, attachment styles through self-differentiation can predict loneliness and tendency to divorce. Discussion and Conclusion: The research data with the proposed model has a perfect fit, so self-differentiation plays a significant mediator role in the relationship between attachment styles with loneliness and tendency to divorce.
 

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Purpose: This study investigates the effectiveness community based intervention on post-divorce adjustment of divorced women. Method: The statistical populations of this study were all divorced women in Arak city, Iran, who have been divorce for less than 5 years in 2017. 34 women were recruited using convenience sampling and were divided into control and experimental groups (N=17).  Fisher’s divorce adjustment scale (FDAS) (2004) was administered as pre- and post – test for both groups. Experimental group participated in 10 sessions – 2 hours each – community based intervention while control group did not received any treatment. Results: Results show that community-based program was effective on divorce adjustment except for anger and social trust subscale  (p> 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that community based intervention is effective on divorce adjustment and therefore, can be used as a reliable intervention for divorced women. 

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a life skills training program (self-awareness skills, coping with stress and empathy) based on Islamic culture in divorced women. Method: The method of qualitative research is narrative type and use of semi-structured interview. The statistical population includes all divorced women referring to counseling and psychological services centers of Kerman city and paired therapists, which 15 clients and 10 specialists were selected by available sampling method. Data were gathered using interviews and expert panel and data were analyzed using Lincoln and Guba method. Results: The results showed that life skills training program was codified in 3 main axes of self-awareness, empathy and coping with stress, 11 axes and 32 subject areas, and also, the content validity of this program is based on the Lavasha method and based on expert opinion with a content validity ratio (CVR) of 80% which is higher than the minimum acceptable level of 0.62 for this number of specialists. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, it can be said that life skills training program based on Islamic culture is an appropriate and effective program for empowering divorced women in life.
 

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between personality traits, emotional maturity, and meta-cognitive beliefs with the tendency toward emotional divorce in couples in city of Zanjan. Methods: This was a correlational research and the statistical population of the study consisted of married students who were studying at Zanjan University in the academic year of 2016-17. In this study, 150 married students were selected using available sampling method. Data were collected through McCrae and Costa Personality Questionnaire (1990), Singh and Bahargawa Emotional Maturity Questionnaire (1974), Wells Metacognitive Beliefs Questinnaire  (2000), Gottman’s Emotional Divorce Questionnaire (2008). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression. Results: Findings showed a negative significant relationship between personality characteristics of conscientiousness and acceptability with  tendency to emotional divorce. A positive significant relationship was observed between personality characteristic of neuroticism and tendency toward emotional divorce (P <0.01). Moreover, the findings also showed a positive and significant positive correlation between emotional maturity and tendency for emotional divorce, and positive relationship between positive beliefs and tendency toward emotional divorce (P<0.01). Overall, acceptance and conscientiousness show a negative, while neuroticism and emotional maturity show a positive and significant tendency prediction towards emotional divorce. Conclusion: According to personality traits, emotional maturity and metacognitive belief variables related to emotional divorce, can be identified and used in psychological and counseling interventions for couples.

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop a life skills training based on native Iranian culture and to determine its effectiveness on the happiness and resilience of divorced women. Methods: The research method used was qualitative-quantitative. The statistical population for this research included all divorced women between the ages of 30 and 40 who referred to counseling and psychological services centers of city of Kerman in the first half of 1395 (Persian calendar), among whom 30 were selected thrgouh available sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (15 subjects each). To collect data, Conner and Davidson Resilience (2003) and Oxford Happiness (1989) Questionnaires were used. The training program was performed in 11 ninety-minute sessions  in the experimental group, and the control group was placed in the waiting list. The results were analyzed using covariance analysis. Results: The findings showed that the content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated based on the Lavoshe method for 10 experts (0/83), and the content validity index (CVI) based on the Waltz and Bassel methods for this number was 0/80, and based on comparing these values with the acceptable value of both indicators, the content validity of the program is acceptable. Also, the results showed that life skills training had an impact on increasing the happiness and resiliency of the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0/01). Conclusion: According to the results, life skills program (self-awareness, coping with stress, empathy) based on indigenous culture is an appropriate and effective program for divorced women and its implementation can affect the happiness and resiliency of these individuals.

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The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of group therapy based on Acceptance and Commitment  with integrating Acceptance and Commitment therapy and compassion Focus Therapy on the psychological well-being of divorced women.The research method  was quasi-experimental based on a pre-test, post-test design and follow-up with control group. The statistical population were divorced women who were referred to Ameneh Family Counselling Center in Tehran, during of 2016-2017 years. The sample included 32 divorced women who were selected by available and purposive sampling method in three group (2 experimental groups and 1 control group) including12 persons in each group. The first experimental group was received 10 sessions of ACT techniques and second experimental group was received 10 sessions of CFACT techniques (weekly 120 minutes’ sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. The research instrument was Reyf’s Psychological well-being Scale (RSPWB). Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance with repeated measures. The results indicated that both Acceptance and Commitment therapy and integration  of ACT with CFT on psychological well-being of divorced women were significantly effective. Also efficacy of CFACT on increasing of psychological well-being divorced women was better than ACT. Regarding the findings, the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy And integration of ACT with CFT  is an effective treatment for  promoting of psychological well-being of divorced women.
Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy, Compassion focus therapy, Psychological well-being, Divorced women

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Aim: The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of self-differentiation training on improving family process and content in demanding couples with contested divorce. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and two-months follow-up with control group was used. The statistical population included couples who mutually consented for divorce, and had referred to the counselling clinic of Behravan in Qazvin in 2018. Ten couples (20 participants) were selected through purposeful sampling and assigned in experimental and control groups. Research tools included Samani’s (2008) family process and content questionnaire. Self-differentiation was administered for the experimental group in 10 weekly 90-minute sessions. The changes of family process and content was measured in posttest and follow-up and data were analyzed by repeated measurement. Results: Results indicated that self-differentiation significantly have promoted family process (P<0.01, F=21.14) and family content (P<0.01, F= 23.32). This effect was observed in follow-up, and four couples gave up the divorce requests (P>0.01, t= 0.01). Conclusion: self-differentiation training, thorough empowering couples, helps in moderating between reason and emotions; while differentiaton of self from original family, affects the functions of family process and content. Therefore, it can be used as an efficient psycho-educational package for improving the functions of family process and content in divorce demanding couples, and may helpprevent divorce

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The purpose of the present study was to qualitatively study the factors on marital satisfaction from the viewpoint of divorced women before and after marriage. Methods: A qualitative study design based on grounded theory was used. Among the women who referred to the family court of Meybod city and were separated from their husbands, 12 women were selected to participate in the study. The sample size was selected based on theoretical saturation and data was obtained using a semi-structured deep interview. Findings: Results show divorced women before their marriage, either had specific and postmodern viewpoint toward marital satisfaction, or had idealistic and superficial viewpoint about marital life considering a minimal number of problems. After divorce, they believed in concrete and specific criteria for achieving marital satisfaction. The factors affecting marital satisfaction from the viewpoints of the participants before their marriage were classified in concepts such as idealism, superficial, attitudinal understanding, non-specific attitude; after divorce these factors were classified in concepts such as behavior and emotion control, personal and family fitness, rational-intellectualism, management of relationships, and accountability. However, before marriage, divorced women believed in logical criteria, which were retained after divorce. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that change in postmodern, unrealistic, and idealistic ideas about marital satisfaction and the tendency to accept the realities of marital relationship can play an effective role in preventing divorce.

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Introduction: Emotional or silent divorce is the most dangerous type of divorce. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of reality-based couple therapy and group forgiveness therapy on marital adjustment, emotional differentiation, and intimacy of divorced couples.
Materials and Methods: The research design of this study is semi-experimental and the type of design is multi-group pre-test and post-test. The statistical population is all married couples referred to Tabriz Andisheh Relief Centers and Allameh Amini for counseling. Purposeful sampling was performed based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (year of marriage, age, education and emotional divorce), thus, 42 patients (21 couples) were randomly divided into three reality therapy groups. (8 sessions), forgiveness therapy (8 sessions) and control group were selected. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the results and repeated measures test was used to evaluate the scores at follow-up.
Results: Findings indicated that despite the favorable effect of both therapies, reality therapy had more significant effect on adaptation variable than therapeutic forgiveness. Also, none of the above treatments had a significant effect on the differentiation variable, and only the reality therapy had a significant effect on the intimate variable.
Conclusion: Training the principles of reality therapy, informing the spouses about the severity of their needs and creating a sense of responsibility for the satisfaction of their needs can play an important role in establishing and improving intimate relationships and couple adjustment.
 

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Aim: Adolescent aggression causes significant disruption to one’s individual and interpersonal life and, if left unchecked, can change their destiny. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparison between the effects of two approaches, namely metacognitive therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, on reducing aggression in adolescent boys with divorced parents. Methods: The design of the present study was a quasi-experimental research including control group with pre-test, post-test and follow-up. The sample, consisting of 36 male students whose parents were divorced, was selected by convenience sampling method. The research tool was Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry,1992). Research data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings: The analysis of covariance in adolescents undergoing dialectical behavior therapy (p <0.05) and metacognitive therapy (P <0.01) interventions showed significant results. Both groups showed less aggression than adolescents in the control group and a significant difference was observed between the effects of these two types of interventions in reducing aggression. Conclusion: Based on the findings and the two-month follow-up, it can be concluded that dialectical behavior therapy reduced aggression among children of divorce by changing the components of emotional regulation, and metacognitive therapy did so by changing negative and irrational cognitions

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The aim of this study was to present a model for predicting emotional divorce based on attachment styles, personality traits and job self-efficacy mediated by perceived social support in employed married women. The method of this research was descriptive-correlational and explanatory with a structural model approach. 400 people were selected from the community of married women working in Tehran Municipality by cluster random sampling method. Guttman Emotional Divorce Questionnaire, Collins and Reed Attachment Questionnaire (1996), NEO-FFI Personality Traits, Job Self-Efficacy (Riggs & Knight, 1994) and Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (MSPSS) were used to collect data. The results showed that the highest factor load belongs to the indicator of individual consequences (β = 0.882) and the smallest factor load belongs to the indicator of individual beliefs (β = 0.675) job self-efficacy. Thus, considering that the factor loads of all indicators were higher than 0.32, it can be said that all of them have the necessary power to measure the latent variables of the present study. The results showed that according to the obtained results, perceived social support can play a mediating role between emotional divorce, attachment styles, personality traits and job self-efficacy in married working women.

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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

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Aim: Today, considering the growing divorce and its consequences in society, it is important to examine it in different aspects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of narrative medical exposure on quality of life and emotional regulation of divorced women in zarrinshahr city (Iran). Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group. The statistical population of the present study consisted of all divorced women of Zarrinshahr Relief Committee. A sample of 30 women under the Imam Khomeini Relief Organization was selected by voluntary sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 subjects) and control (n = 15). Data were gathered in two stages: pre-test and post-test. World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Group of Experts of the World Health Organization (1996) and Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (Gross, et al., 2003) were used. The experimental group received 7 days of treatment and 90 minute treatment group (NET); while the control group received no intervention. The collected data were analyzed using univariate covariance (ANCOVA) and analyzed by SPSS-23 software. Findings: The results showed that after controlling the effects of pre-test, there was a significant difference between the post-test scores of the two groups in the dimensions of physical health (F = 369.965; P <0.001), mental health (F = 75.457; P <0.000), Social health (F = 52.905; P <0.003) and environmental health (F = 320.321; P <0.001) and dimensions of cognitive reassessment (F = 260.901; P <0.001) and subduction (1/359; F= P> 0.005). Conclusion: The results of this study show that oral exposure can be a suitable health plan for improving the quality of life and emotional problems of divorced women.

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Aim: Today, divorce is one of the risks threatening marital life which can create many psychological and social problems, in particular, for women, so more attention should be given to it. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the subliminal approach on depression and resilience among women with addict husbands who were appealing to divorce. Methods: The research method was of semi-experimental type in which a pretest-posttest with control group design was used to achieve objectives. The statistical population of the study included all the women with addict husbands appealing for divorce in the first half of 2020 who were referring to different branches of the family courts of Tehran, Iran. Among the population, 30 women meeting the inclusion criteria of the study were selected through available sampling method, and then, were assigned into two experiment and control groups by random assignment method (15 subject in each group). Both groups completed Beck Depression Inventory (1991) and Connor and Davidson’s Resilience Scale (2003). The experimental group was delivered the Subliminal therapy approach and the control group was not delivered any therapy protocol. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics indices and covariance analysis method. Findings: Results showed that the subliminal approach has led to significant reduction in the scores of depression (P<0.01, Ƞ²=0.63) and significant increase in the scores of resilience (P<0.01, Ƞ²=0.68) in the experiment group compared to the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be said that the subliminal approach is effective in reducing depression and increasing resilience in women with addict husbands who appeal for divorce. Therefore, this approach can be used as an appropriate interventional method to cure depression and increase resilience in psychological and counseling centers.

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Aim: Each parent plays a vital role in the life of their children and intergenerational transmission of divorce shows that children who experience the divorce of their parents are more exposed to marital injuries. the goal of this study was to design and validate a model for preventing the intergenerational transmission of divorce in the children of single guardians due to divorce and its effectiveness on boredom and marital expectations. Methods: The present research was conducted with a mixed exploratory type. For the qualitative part of the research, classical grounded theory was used, while for the quantitative part a quasi-experimental method of experimental group - control group with pre and post test with follow-up was used. Research participants in the qualitative section included interviews with 26 couples with single-parent families resulting from divorce and the research sample in quantitative part included 32 couples with a single-parent family due to divorce. The qualitative part of the research was conducted with semi-structured interviews and the research tools in the quantitative part included the Omiedvar Marital Expectations and Pines Marital Burnout Questionnaires. In order to analyze the data, repeated measurement analysis of variance was used. Findings: From the total findings of the qualitative section, five main categories which expressed the marital damage of single-parent children caused by divorce discover and based on them and the opinion of experts the model for prevention of intergenerational transmission of divorce in single-parent children due to divorce was designed. Data analysis showed the effectiveness of the divorce prevention model on intergenerational transmission of divorce on boredom and marital expectations (p<0.01). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the model presented in this study can be used in preventing intergenerational transfer of divorce and to ensure and enduring married life for children of divorce

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Aim: Divorce-seeking couples have many problems in their marital relationships, and one of the effective methods in improving the characteristics related to marital life is through offering a combined-approach educational method. The present study was conducted in order to determine the effect of combined therapy based on acceptance and commitment and schema therapy on values ​​and psychological acceptance in couples applying for divorce. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all couples applying for divorce who were referred from Behshahr City Court to counseling centers dedicated to the Divorce Reduction Program, during the second 6 months of 2018. In this clinical trial, 32 people (16 couples applying for divorce) were selected through available sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of 16 individuals (treatment and control groups). Combined couple therapy intervention based on acceptance and commitment and schema therapy (Liu and McKay, 2012) was implemented in 14 ninety-minute sessions in a group format (treatment group). Research tools included acceptance and action questionnaire (Bond et al., 2011) and personal values ​​questionnaire (Schwartz, 2002). Data analysis was done by multivariate covariance analysis. Findings: The results showed that integrated couple therapy based on acceptance and commitment and schema therapy has significantly led to the improvement of acceptance and practice and values ​​in couples applying for divorce in the post-test stage (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the research show the effectiveness of integrated couple therapy based on acceptance and commitment and schema therapy on values ​​and psychological acceptance in couples applying for divorce.

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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the experience of spouse selection in children of divorce. Methods: The present study was a qualitative phenomenological type. The present study's statistical population included 6 women and 4 men who wanted to divorce and had experienced the divorce of their parents in Kermanshah in 2022. The participants were selected by the available sampling method and the sampling continued until data saturation. The data were first recorded and coded to analyze the data, and then they were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Findings: The results of the research included 6 main themes and 19 sub-themes of the participants' experiences. The sub-themes included negative social attitude, problems of not being distinguished from the family, psychological problems, communication problems with the spouse and the spouse's family, feeling valuable as a person different from the parents, and adapting and building a life different from the parents. Conclusion: The results of the research showed that the children of divorce have negative experiences during the formation of life and marriage, which can lead to wrong choices or incompatibility and mental health problems in them. On the other hand, they also have positive experiences that make them learn from their parent's mistakes and seek education and counseling services to improve their marital life satisfaction and lead a better life than their parents.

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Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of the family counselors of the judiciary system to identify the effective features of the family counseling in reducing family disputes and strengthening the family. Methods: This was a phenomenonological type of qualitative research. The participants in the research included 20 people (13 women and 7 men) whoe were family counselors at the judiciary system in several Iranian cities during 1399-1400 Persian calendar. Participants were selected using the purposeful sampling method according the entry criteria. Sampling continued until saturation was reached. In order to analyze the data, first, the data were recorded and coded, then analyzed using Van Menen's interpretive phenomenological analysis method. Results: The findings of the research included 6 main themes and 33 sub-themes of counselors' experiences as effective therapeutic features. The main themes obtained include: goals pursued to reduce family disputes and strengthening the family, characteristics of counselors, facilitating and promoting measures of counseling alongside the court proceeding, failure of resistance in clients beside the court, interventions to achieve change in order to reduce family disputes and strengthen the family and the characteristics of the counseling location in order to increase the effectiveness of the counseling near the court. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the counselors of the judiciary system who have a lower divorce rate at the end of the counseling sessions and are more successful in solving family problems than their other colleagues, have personal characteristics and principles governing their meetings as such that it provides safe and favorable conditions for this group of clients and paves the way for raising issues, listening to them, and ultimately resolving their concerns

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Aim: This research was conducted to investigate the effect of emotion-focused approach training on improving interpersonal sensitivity in couples on the verge of divorce. Methods: The research method was quantitative and semi-experimental (pre-test-post-test design, with control group). The statistical population of the present study includes couples on the verge of divorce in Tehran province, regions 11 and 12, who are between the ages of 25 and 35 years old and have been selected voluntarily and based on the inclusion criteria for the study. The sample size of the study was 20 couples on the verge of divorce, who were selected by random sampling from couples on the verge of divorce who had referred to legal centers and counseling centers in Tehran for legal matters. The data collection tool was the interpersonal sensitivity questionnaire, and to test the research hypotheses, multivariate analysis of covariance was used with the assumptions (homogeneity of regression coefficients, linearity of the relationship between variables, normal distribution of the studied characteristic, homogeneity of variances). Findings: The results of the study indicate that the dimensions of interpersonal sensitivity (interpersonal awareness, need for approval, separation anxiety, shyness, and low self-esteem) in couples on the verge of divorce who received emotion-focused approach training were lower than those in couples who did not receive this training. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the emotion-focused approach training program had a significant effect on improving interpersonal sensitivity in couples on the verge of divorce and could be considered as an effective training program by psychologists and counselors.