Journal of Counseling Research

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This study aimed to predict mate selection preference of female students through attachment styles and early maladaptive schema. With this purpose, 300 students (female) were selected randomly from students of Islamic Azad University. The subjects completed questionnaires of Early Maladaptive Schemas (short form) , Attachment Styles (AAQ) and Mate Selection Preference. Results indicated that there was a negative correlation between secure attachment style and content mate selection preference as well as between avoidant attachment style and process mate selection. There is negative correlation between impaired autonomy and performance and impaired limits domains, with process mate selection. The multiple regression analyses showed that secure attachment style was the best predictor of content mate selection preference as well as avoidant attachment style was the best predictor of process mate selection preference. Results also showed that impaired autonomy and performance was the best predictor of content mate selection preference and process mate selection preference.

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Purpose: This article is the result of a research entitled "Mate selection based on Islamic teachings: Qualitative analysis of Kitab al-Kafi". Methods: Due to the thematic nature and the qualitative content  analysis, no conceptual model or hypothesis was not developed. Instead, based on this method, the main research question was ""How is mate selection in Islam?" Results:  In addition to selecting the key points from Islamic scripts, a unique code was assigned to each key point or theme. Then, by comparing the codes, several concepts that pointed to a common dimension of mate selection from Islamic view were recognized. The result of comparing each concept with other concepts yielded  subjects which form the triple-based foundations for mate selection from Islam's viewpoint.   These activities resulted in design of a pattern for mate selection based on three principles of selection style, selection standards, and selection process. Conclusion: Based on these three principles, in Islamic mate selection, first the requirements, philosophy, benefits, and goals of marriage should be determined. Then, the criterion for correct and accurate selection should be introduced, and in the selection process actions be taken according to the Islamic principles. Because of the  importance of customization of premarital counseling models in the country, preparing this model with the existing body of knowledge in Islamic references can be of greater use for those involved in this domain. 

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Purpose: Mate selection and having a happy and successful marriage is one of the most important issues in the lives of many. One of the issues that affects the success rate of mate selection is the attitude toward this choice. The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of mate selection of single Iranian girls. Methods: This study was carried out with qualitative method, using thematic analysis approach. In this study, the researchers used purposive sampling method to identify and interview fifteen 18 to 30 year-old girls in Tehran. All interviews were recorded and then hand-written line by line, and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Analysis of the data obtained from the interviews resulted in identifying two main categories of effective selection attitudes with subcategories (rationality and logic-realism, realism, belief in self-knowledge, belief in knowing the other, considering the cognitive relationship as necessary, belief in balancing, belief in mutual consultation and counseling for making a choice) and ineffective selective attitudes with subcategories (idealistic, considering making a choice or marriage as restrictive, perceiving as ineffective and unnecessary mutual consultation in making a choice, and seeing choice and marriage as a bridge to the absolute emancipation from suffering) in relation to the attitudes of girls near making a marital selection. Conclusions: The findings of this study, through identifying the effective and ineffective attitudes of girls toward mate selection provided the basis for developing educational and corrective programs to strengthen positive attitudes in this group of people, and recognizing ineffective attitudes provided the means to eliminate these attitudes in order to make a more successful selection.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the role of cultural globalization in mate selection spaces. Methods: The research method was descriptive using survey and the participants included 1197 married girls under the auspices of the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee in Tehran from 2016 to 2017, which were included by census, online and through the social network. The research tools included the Mirzaei (1400) Questionnaire on Cultural Globalization, and Mate Spaces. Research data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24 using, and Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression was utilized. Findings: The results showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between different components of cultural globalization (media consumption, music consumption, clothing consumption, and individualism) and age with mate selection spaces (p<01.0). Stepwise regression analysis also showed that cultural globalization was a strong predictor for predicting mate selection spaces (R2=56%). Conclusion: According to the present results, cultural globalization causes a change in the mate selection spaces and the actors' relations with space, and leads the act of marriage selection to marriages without intervention or with passive intervention of families and in spaces of control. Therefore, in addition to the possibility of choosing a spouse by young people, this process should be done in an environment with parental supervision and the possibility of evaluating and recognizing people in different dimensions.

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Aim: Blindness can drastically change the life of the person, and can create some problems in psychological and social adaptation. The purpose of the present study was to examine the love experience and the criteria for choosing a spouse among blind female students. The method used in this study was interpretative phenomenological analysis. Methods: This research uses deep, exhaustive, and semi-structured interviews to assess 18 students. All interviews were recorded digitally, and were transcribed. The data were analyzed using van Manen’s‌ method. Findings: Six primary themes were emerged from the nature of participants’ lived experience, including ‘romantic assumptions and believes’, ‘romantic behaviors’, ‘the impact of love-making on life’, ‘attractive factor’ in the perception of love, and ‘intrapersonal criteria’, ‘interpersonal criteria’ in spouse selection. Conclusion: Sign and body language’ factor was among the most important communicative ways through which a blind girl makes a romantic relationship. ‘Commitment and fidelity’ were the most important criteria for spouse selection, and ‘health and beauty’ were the most important intrapersonal criteria.