Journal of Counseling Research

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The current research with the aim of investigating the relation between differentiation (I-Position), secure attachment style and marital satisfaction with couple optimism intermediary was done among the first –grade students parental of Darab city in the years of 2012-2013. Three hundreds and fourteen parents were selected using the method of multi-clustering sampling and they completed the questionnaires of Self Differentiation (I-position), secure attachment style, optimism of couple and marital satisfaction, The data were analyzed by the method multiple hierarchical regression simultaneously with method of Baron and Canny for studying the two designed models. The findings about the first supposed model showed that there are a positive relationship between I-position, couple optimism, and marital satisfaction, couple optimism is an mediate between I- position and marital satisfaction. The findings about the second supposed model showed that there are a positive relationship between secure attachment style and couple optimism, and marital satisfaction. The couple optimism is a mediate between secure attachment style and marital satisfaction. These results confirm that the primary relationship of people in a family environment leads to the shaping of special attachment style and states of low or high differentiation and these primary experiences have direct effect on couples’ interpersonal relationship in adulthood. Couple optimism also has the intermediary role between secure attachment style and I-position with marital satisfaction.

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Aim: The purpose of this study was to predict social adjustment and academic achievement based on parental attachment styles in students. Methods: The method of this research was descriptive-correlational. The study population included 18,000 male and female first year high school students in Lorestan province in the academic year of 2014-15, which was conducted on a sample of 364 students (200 girls, 164 boys). Multi-stage cluster sampling method was selected. The California Social Adjustment Questionnaire (Klako et al., 1953) and the Hazen and Shaver Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire (1897) were used to collect data, and the students' final grade point average was used to assess academic performance. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis (stepwise). Findings: The results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a meaningful negative relationship between avoidant attachment style (P=0.001, r=-0.35), anxiety attachment style (P=0.001, r=-0.29) with adaptation. Also, between secure attachment style (P≥0.001, r=0.41), attachment to mother (P≥0.001, r=0.35), attachment to father (P≥0.001, r=0.37) and attachment to friends (P=0.001, r=0.38) has a significant positive relationship with adaptation. Multiple regression results showed 31% of the total variance of students' academic adjustment by avoidant attachment style (β=-0.16), anxiety attachment style (β=-0.14), secure attachment (β=0.23), attachment to mother (β=0.10), attachment to father (β=0.15), and attachment to friends (β=0.09) are explained. Also, 14% of the variance of academic achievement is explained by the style of secure attachment (β=0.17), attachment to father (β=0.10) and attachment to friends (β=0.11). Conclusion: The present study showed that the first emotional bonds between child and mother play a fundamental role in the formation of social trust and the continuation of emotional relationships in the later period of growth, promoting it positively. Thus, with success in this field, social adjustment is achieved.

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Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the structural effect of insecure attachment styles on body dysmorphic symptoms in students, with the mediating roles of mentalization and self-compassion.
Methods: This research employed a descriptive-correlational method. The statistical population included all first and second grade high school students in Karaj during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 397 students was selected through multistage cluster random sampling. The instruments used included the Fear of Body Image Concern Inventor (Littleton et al., 2005), Attachment Styles Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987), Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2018), and the Self-Compassion Scale (Neff, 2003b). Correlation analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were employed for data analysis.
Findings: The results showed that both avoidant (β = 0.15, P = 0.004) and ambivalent (β = 0.16, P = 0.002) dimensions of insecure attachment had a direct and significant effect on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms. Furthermore, the indirect effect of insecure attachment styles, including avoidant (β = 0.199, P = 0.001) and ambivalent (β = 0.218, P = 0.001), on body dysmorphic disorder symptoms through the mediating variables of mentalization and self-compassion was confirmed, and the model demonstrated a good fit.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, insecure attachment styles, by reducing mentalization and self-compassion, contribute to increased body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in students. These results emphasize the necessity of considering mediating variables in clinical and educational interventions related to body dysmorphic disorder. It is suggested that in preventive and therapeutic programs, enhancing mentalization and self-compassion, along with addressing insecure attachment styles, be taken into consideration.