نشریه مشاوره کاربردی
سال دوازدهم شماره 2 (پاییز و زمستان 1401)

This study aimed to construct and validate a scale for assessing efficiency in school counselors. This mixed methods study followed an exploratory approach. In the qualitative section, the statistical population included all professors and specialists in the field of counseling in Iran, as well as teachers, counselors, and lower secondary school students in Ardabil province in the 2021-2022 academic year, 46 of whom were selected by purposive and snowball sampling. In the quantitative section, the statistical population included all school counselors and liaison counselors (in primary schools) of Ardabil province in the 2021-2022 academic year. In the quantitative section, two samples were used. In the first sample, 220 people were selected for exploratory factor analysis and in the second stage, 205 counselors and liaison counselors were selected through multistage cluster random sampling for confirmatory factor analysis. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data in the qualitative section and the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale and the School Counselor’s Professional Ethics Scale were used in the quantitative section. The data were analyzed using grounded theory in the qualitative section and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in the quantitative section. Based on the results of the qualitative section of the research, moral, psychological, behavioral, and emotional characteristics were identified as the main components. The final results of the quantitative section of the research showed the goodness of fit was acceptable and approved the validity of the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale in terms of moral, emotional, behavioral, and psychological characteristics with 31 items. Based on the findings of the present study, the School Counselor’s Efficiency Measurement Scale, for assessing this construct in Iranian samples, has sufficient reliability and validity

Training competent counselors requires quality programs. Amongst the approaches of quality assurance in higher education, accreditation is the most extensive one with an explicit judgment about meeting the minimum necessary standards. However, there has been no specified policy for quality assurance of various counselor training programs in Iran. In this study, with the aim of identifying the minimum essential components to propose  comprehensive and concise accreditation model for a core counselor training program, the pioneer accreditation models of counselor training programs have been compared and analyzed using qualitative approach and theory-generating meta-synthesis method. According to this method, by a qualitative systematic review based on grounded theory, a model has been developed for the accreditation of the counselor training program, which is generalizable and  prescribable in different contexts. The sampling method was purposeful and the documents related to six situations at the international level have been subjected to final review. The findings specify 3 factors, 6 criteria, 18 indicators, 6 fundamental features and 6 action steps in a comprehensive counselor training program accreditation model. As a result, an accreditation model has been proposed which determines the indicator areas, practical priorities, the quality assurance and approval procedure of a counselor training program, emphasizing the culture of evidence instead of strict standards. By utilizing this model, may a greater unification emerge amongst various programs in terms of their quality, resulting in a stronger professional identity, a higher level of training for counselors and care for clients, especially when it comes to licensing.

Depression is the most common psychological disorder with higher rates in women than men. Depression has attracted the attention of many specialists. This study aimed to develop a model for depression in women living in Bushehr using a grounded-theory and qualitative approach. The participants were 13 women who lived in Bushehr in 2021 and were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected through unstructured interviews and the data collection process continued until data saturation. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. A total of 127 primary codes were extracted through open coding and 12 main categories were identified via axial coding. The core category was women’s depression as loneliness and breakdown of emotional bonds. The findings showed that women’s depression is affected by some causal conditions such as traditional marriage, patriarchal attitudes, and social exclusion. Besides, insecure family climate, feeling of inequality, and traditional rituals are some of the contextual factors affecting women’s depression. Moreover, neglecting the personal growth of the girl and the sanctity of the main family are among the intervening conditions affecting women’s depression. The data also indicated that when women are faced with traumatic events, they tend to use strategies such as silence and avoidance, ultimately resulting in women’s depression with marital problems and family dysfunction. Following the findings of this study, it can be concluded that a set of individual, family, and social factors can affect the quality of life and mental health of women and end up in their depression

Quality of Marital Life have a significant impact on mental, family, and even physical health of the individual and it is essential to identify the factors influencing them. The present study aimed to investigate the moderating role of self-compassion and forgiveness in the relationship between couples’ conflicts as well as their interactions and the quality of marital life in married employees of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This study was a descriptive-correlational one. The statistical population included all married employees of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences among whom 200 individuals were selected using convenience sampling method. The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI), Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), Texas Tech Relationship Interaction Scale (TTRIS), Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), and Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) were used collect data. Pearson correlation coefficient as well as multiple and interaction regression were used to analyze the data. The results of the statistical analysis revealed that self-compassion and forgiveness moderate the relationship between couples’ conflict and the quality of marital life. Self-compassion and forgiveness also moderate the relationship between couples’ interactions and the quality of marital life. It can be concluded that self-compassion and forgiveness play a significant role in the quality of marital life

Adolescents, as one of the vulnerable age groups, are exposed to a variety of psychological problems. The present study aimed to qualitatively analyze the behavioral problems in adolescents with maladaptive schemas. This study was conducted using a qualitative thematic analysis method. The research population included all male adolescents aged 12 to 15 years who were studying in lower secondary school in the academic year 2020-2021 and living in Isfahan. To collect the data, firstly, Yang’s Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-SF) was completed by the students. Then, the adolescents who scored high in three common schemas (obedience, emotional inhibition, and strict criteria) Due to the fact that the cut-off point of this questionnaire is 15 and a higher score indicates the stronger presence of the ineffective schema, they were subjected to a semi-structured interview. Ten adolescents were selected through purposive sampling. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s approach to extract the main themes and subthemes. Data analysis revealed 6 main categories: aggressive behavior, unwillingness to attend family gatherings, lack of self-expression, passive behavior, negative emotions, and inner self-talk. Following the findings of this study, it can be concluded that Early maladaptive schemas (obedience, emotional inhibition and strict standards) can cause behavioral problems in adolescents

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hold me tight program on reducing the caregiver burden of men whose wives suffer from breast cancer. The current study is experimental, with a single subject method of A.B.A design. The statistical population of the study included all men whose wives were diagnosed with breast cancer by an oncologist at Omid Hospital in Mashhad in 2018-2019. Three men were purpose fully selected from the mentioned community and participated in the hold me tight training program. The instrumentation included the Caregiver Burden Questionnaire (CBI) which was used in three stages (before the intervention, during the intervention and after the intervention). It was completed three times before the intervention, four times during the intervention, and three times after the intervention. The experimental group received 8 sessions treatment. Data were analyzed using Excel software and visual review methods of graphs (rising and falling of the dependent variable), indicators of percentage improvement, percentage of reduction in scores, variability and effect size. Data inference based on intra-situational and inter-situational analysis for each participant, has shown the effectiveness of hold me tight program on reducing the caregiver burden of men. This study suggested that the hold me tight program can be used as a suitable intervention to reduce the caregiver burden of men whose wives suffer from breast cancer and improve their marital satisfaction during the disease.

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion therapy on self-control and self-expression of female students with self-injurious behaviors visiting a counseling center in District 3 of Ahvaz. To this end, four students who met the inclusion criteria were selected using purposive sampling. This study was conducted using a multiple baseline single-case experimental design. The self-compassion therapy program was conducted in 10 sessions. The participants completed the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS; Tangney et al., 2004) and the Assertiveness Self-Report Inventory (ASRI; Herzberger et al., 1984) in the three baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. The data were analyzed using the visual drawing method, reliable change index (RCI), and recovery rate formula. The results showed that self-compassion therapy increased the self-control and self-expression of female students. Following these results, it is recommended that school counselors use self-compassion therapy to promote the self-control and self-expression of students with self-injurious behaviors