Journal of Counseling Research

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Aim: A mental disorder known as anorexia is a relatively common disorder in the recent decades  and has affected many people, especially young girls. This study aims to predict the relationship between anorexia as the independent variable and family relations, self control, and alexithymia as predictor variables. Methods: This study is a descriptive-correlational type. The study sample consisted of 109 women in the city of Shiraz who were selected through convenience sampling. Anorexia mental disorder was measured using questionnaires from Garner and Garfinkel (1979), parental bonding were measured using questionnaires parental bonding by Parker et al. (1979),Self-control was measured using a self-control scale Grasmick (1993) and alexithymia was measured using the Toronto alexithymia (1986).The data was analyzed by stepwise multiple regressions test. Findings The findings showed that, impulsively is one of the sub-scales of self-control  (β =-0/24 , p<0/05) and the extreme support is a parental bonding based sub-scale (β =0/23 , p<0/05) predicted anorexia disorder. Meanwhile Alexithymia cannot predict anorexia disorder. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that efforts to regulate impulsivity and reduce extreme support in family relationships are effective in preventing from anorexia nervosa.
 

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▌Aim: Marital instability has been one of the most significant challenges faced by families over the past half century. The present study aimed to examine the moderating role of communication patterns in the relationship between alexithymia and marital instability. ▌Methods: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design and was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all married men and women in Gotvand County, Khuzestan Province. A sample of 203 participants was selected using convenience sampling. Research variables were measured using the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Christensen & Sullaway, 1985), the Marital Instability Questionnaire (Edwards & Booth, 1987), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (1997). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and SmartPLS software. ▌Findings: The results indicated significant positive relationships between the mutual avoidance communication pattern, the demand/withdraw communication pattern, alexithymia, and marital instability. In contrast, the relationship between the mutual constructive communication pattern, alexithymia, and marital instability was negative and significant. Moreover, the findings showed that the mutual constructive and mutual avoidance communication patterns played a moderating role in the relationship between alexithymia and marital instability, whereas the demand/withdraw communication pattern did not exhibit a moderating effect in this relationship (p < 0.001). ▌Conclusion: Based on the findings, training couples to develop and adopt a mutual constructive communication pattern—given the significant relationship between alexithymia and marital instability—may serve a moderating function in reducing divorce rates