Journal of Counseling Research

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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.