Journal of Counseling Research

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Farajnia, S - Dr Hoseinian, S - Dr Shihidi, SH - Dr Sadeghi, M The goal of present study was to examine the role of sexual function and quality of relationship on marital commitment. The sample included 115 couples. The research instruments were Quality of Marital Relationship Questionnaire, Marital Commitment Questionnaire and Marital Sexual Function Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by correlation coefficient and step by step multiple regression method. Results showed significant relationships between sexual function, quality of relationship and marital commitment. According to the results, sexual function and quality of relationship predicted marital commitment and quality of relationship was a stronger predictor of marital commitment. Through Components of Sexual Function and Quality of Relationships, the only Sexual Realization and Communication Styles have predicted the roles for the Marital Commitment. The Significant relationships were found between wives 'commitment with their sexual function, their husbands 'commitment and sexual function, and husbands 'commitment with their wives 'commitment and their sexual function.

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Aim: The present study was conducted to study the lived experiences of graduate students in the field of counseling and to examine the influence of their education process on their views on marriage and marital relationships. Methods: The method of this research was qualitative and phenomenological in type. Participants in this study were 16 graduate students, selected through purposeful sampling. Data collection was done through semi-structured interviews. Findings: In the dimension of positive experiences, 4 main themes were obtained that included raising awareness, growing awareness of personal abilities, improving interpersonal communication skills, and experiences around marriage. Finally, the following themes of the main categories are understood: self-awareness, increasing awareness of other people's personality traits, growing self-confidence, feeling beneficial, improvement of family and social relationships, achieving a systemic view in the family, increasing empathy, control emotions, changes in attitudes toward premarital acquaintance and emphasis on premarital counseling, new attitudes about marriage, importance of awareness about premarital counseling, and changes in gender stereotypes (in male participants). In the dimension of negative experiences, the main themes included experiences related to the phenomenon of marriage and negative effects on relationships. The following themes were extracted: decreased emotional excitement about the partner, increased sensitivity and obsession in relationships, change in attitudes toward men (on the part of female participants), creating a sense misunderstanding in family and social relationships due to differences in the level of knowledge, and existence of some level of irrational expectations from graduates in this field. Conclusion: According to the findings, the lived experience of participants showed that studying counseling can influence the personal life and perspective about marriage and marital relationships from different aspects.

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Aim: The goal of this study was to qualitatively analyze the factors underlying extramarital relationships in women with extramarital relationships. Methods: The goal of the present study is applied, and in terms of the methodology is a qualitative research. The target population are women referring to counseling centers in city of Yazd witha history of marital infidelity, from which 15  people were selected as a sample through convenient sampling and a  semi-structured interview was used. Decoding was performed using thematic analysis method. Findings: The results showed that the underlying factors of extramarital relationships can be identified in three dimensions. In the dimension of family and culture, two main themes were obtained, which included family and parenting style and gender-cultural schemas. Also, in the dimension of interpersonal issues, three main themes including self-esteem, feelings of inferiority and cohesion of personality and behavior were obtained.In the dimension of interpersonal issues, the main themes included relationship challenges and outward looks criteria. Conclusion: Extramarital relationships from the perspective of women are influenced by cultural, educational, and early years’ schemas experiences. Results also showed that extramarital relationships is a multidimentional construct that cannot be only related to psychological factors. So, for knowing the the underlying factors attention must also be given to cultural diversity in Iran.

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Aim: Marriage, as a key social institution, is increasingly confronted by the challenges of modern life, underscoring the importance of premarital counseling. This study seeks to examine existing gaps in premarital counseling from the perspectives of experts, identify its shortcomings, and propose strategies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of these services. Methods: This qualitative, exploratory research utilized thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants (10 women and 5 men) and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was applied to interpret the data. Results: Following the analysis, meaningful statements were categorized into 120 basic themes, 5 organizing themes, and 16 overarching themes. The five organizing themes included: (1) essential components of premarital counseling, (2) enabling contexts for its development, (3) current challenges and deficiencies, (4) necessary strategies and interventions, and (5) the outcomes of premarital counseling. Conclusion: The findings suggest that enhancing the effectiveness of premarital counseling in Iran requires adapting validated international models to local cultural contexts, standardizing counseling services, engaging systemic institutions, leveraging purposeful technology, and addressing cultural and structural barriers. These improvements can help reduce divorce rates and foster more stable and healthy marital relationships in society.

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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.