Showing 25 results for Couples
Mrs Zahra Farazi, Dr Ebrahim Namani, Dr Hamid Nejat, Dr Mohammadreza Safarian,
Volume 21, Issue 82 (5-2022)
Abstract
Aim: The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of combining contextual and structural family therapies on cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital dissatisfaction. Methods: This experimental research study utilized a pretest-posttest and two-month follow-up, with control group design. The research population consisted of all couples with marital dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in city of Birjand during the first 6 months of 2019. Furthermore, 20 couples with marital dissatisfaction were selected as the participants of the study using convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups (10 couples in each group). The experimental group received the treatment for ten 90-minute weekly sessions and the control group received no intervention during this time. The research instruments included the Lazarus and Folkman (1988) Coping Strategies Questionnaire and The Olson, Portner and Levy (1996) Cohesion Questionnaire, which were administered to the participants in the pretest, post-test and follow-up. To analyze the data, repeated-measures ANOVA was used. Results: The research findings demonstrated that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies was effective regarding cohesion and coping strategies of couples with marital unsatisfaction. It should be noted that the persistence of the treatment effect was maintained after two months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that the combination of contextual and structural family therapies increased cohesion and problem-oriented coping strategies of maladjusted couples in the experimental group, compared to the control group.
Omid Isanejad, Shirin Naghibalsadat,
Volume 23, Issue 89 (6-2024)
Abstract
Aim: Many studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of couple coping skills training. Many of these studies found substantial differences when compared to the control group, however, the exact effect is unclear, and more research is needed to integrate these findings. The goal of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET). Methods: Twenty studies that can be investigated in terms of technique were chosen and analyzed. SID.IR, Magiran.com, Noormags.com, Sciencedirect.com, jstor.org, tandfonline.com, Wiley.com, link.springer.com, APA and Google Scholar databases are among the information search resources. Couples coping enhancement training (CCET) was the search term. CMA2 software and Hedges' g index were used for data analysis and effect size calculation. Results: The findings of this meta-analysis showed that the fixed effect size of CCET is 0.27 and the random effect size is 0.13. When the heterogeneity of results was examined using Cochran's Q test, the Q value was 2488.87 and the I-squared value was 92.16, both of which were significant (p > 0.001). As a result, the effect sizes vary, and the random effect model should be used to examine the effects. The g value of the random Hedges was 0.27 (p < 0.001). Clinically, this value is regarded as less than usual. As a result, it was decided that CCET was ineffective. Furthermore, a comparison of effects in studies conducted in Iran (64 studies) and Switzerland (132 studies) reveals that the fixed and random Hedges' g in Iran are 0.62 and 0.73, respectively, and 0.06 and 0.09 in Switzerland. The value of I square in both societies is higher than 0.90. Hedges' g has a minor effect on Swiss society and a moderate effect on Iranian society. Conclusions: Therapists should pay attention to the ignored elements discussed in this article in addition to treatment.
Saleh Salehi, Fahimeh Fadakar Davarani,
Volume 23, Issue 92 (2-2025)
Abstract
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.
Arefeh Kiani, Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi, Ali Sheikholeslamy,
Volume 25, Issue 98 (9-2026)
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of communication skills in the relationship between phubbing and romantic relationships among couples in Neka, Iran. ▌Method: This descriptive-correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The study population consisted of couples residing in Neka, from whom 150 individuals (75 couples) were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using Barton’s Communication Skills Questionnaire (1998), Chotpitayasunondh and Douglas’s Phubbing Questionnaire (2018), and the Romantic Relationships Questionnaire developed by Attridge et al. (1998). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and the measurement and structural models were evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS. ▌Findings: The proposed model demonstrated an acceptable fit. Phubbing had a significant negative effect on communication skills (β 0.62, p < .01) and romantic relationships (β= -0.57, p < .01), whereas communication skills had a significant positive effect on romantic relationships (β = 0.52, p < .01). In addition, communication skills significantly mediated the relationship between phubbing and romantic relationships, with an indirect effect of −0.21 (p < .01). ▌Conclusion: Higher levels of phubbing were associated with poorer communication skills and weaker romantic relationships among couples, whereas stronger communication skills were associated with better romantic relationships. Communication skills also mediated the relationship between phubbing and romantic relationships. These findings highlight the relevance of both phubbing and communication skills to couples’ romantic relationships and support the potential value of interventions aimed at promoting healthier smartphone use and strengthening couples’ communication skills
Nima Saberi, Davud Nodehi, Ahmad Salami,
Volume 25, Issue 98 (9-2026)
Abstract
Aim: Childbearing is a key component of demographic change and an important element of sustainable development, particularly in countries experiencing below-replacement fertility. In Iran, declining fertility has led to the adoption of new policies aimed at supporting population growth. Accordingly, this study aimed to systematically identify and categorize the psychological predictors associated with childbearing intention based on studies conducted over the past decade. ▌Methods: This systematic review included Persian- and English-language studies published between 2016 and 2026 on psychological predictors of childbearing intention. PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Magiran were systematically searched using combinations of keywords related to childbearing intention and psychological factors. Quantitative and qualitative studies relevant to psychological factors associated with childbearing were considered eligible. The search, screening, and final selection of studies were conducted independently by two reviewers. Of 402 initially identified records, 38 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. ▌Findings: The 38 included studies yielded two broad categories and 12 subcategories of psychological factors associated with childbearing intention. Factors associated with increased childbearing intention included positive attitudes and norms toward parenthood, perceived self-efficacy, marital satisfaction and emotional support, facilitating personality characteristics, identity-related motives, and positive emotions. Factors associated with decreased childbearing intention included negative attitudes and emotions, future and parenting anxiety, dysfunctional beliefs, individualistic orientations, psychological uncertainty, inhibiting personality characteristics, and negative schemas. Overall, factors associated with reduced childbearing intention appeared more prominent across the reviewed studies. ▌Conclusions: Psychological factors play an important role in couples’ childbearing intentions. Positive attitudes toward parenthood, self-efficacy, marital satisfaction, and emotional support may facilitate childbearing intention, whereas future anxiety, dysfunctional beliefs, negative emotions, and individualistic orientations may inhibit it. These findings underscore the importance of addressing cognitive and emotional factors alongside socioeconomic considerations. Psychological and educational interventions aimed at reducing future anxiety and dysfunctional beliefs while strengthening self-efficacy and positive attitudes toward childbearing may be useful in informing counseling programs and evidence-based population policies
