Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 27 A Phenomenological Study of the Evolutionary Roots of Schemas and Stabilizing Factors of Grief in People with Psychopathological Grief during Schema Therapy 132 139 237070 10.30491/ijbs.2025.525768.2236 EN Saeedeh Karamloo Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0001-8364-0609 Marzie Hashemi Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0001-7502-0952 Journal Article 2025 09 16 Introduction: Although grieving is a common response to loss, it can become pathological and destructive for some people. Understanding the significance of early maladaptive schemas, which have roots in developmental experiences and temperament, is crucial for the effective treatment of complex grief. This study aimed to conduct a phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of individuals with psychopathological grief and to illustrate how schema therapy techniques were perceived by them during treatment. Method: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design. The statistical population consisted of individuals diagnosed with psychopathological grief, from which three bereaved clients were selected through convenience sampling. Each participant underwent schema therapy during 10 one-hour sessions. Data collection involved diagnostic interviews based on DSM-5 criteria, open-ended semi-structured therapeutic interviews, and observational notes. All interviews were transcribed verbatim within 48 hours and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Triangulation and researcher consensus were used to enhance reliability and validity of findings. Results: characterized by control and emotional deprivation, early life experiences such as unmet emotional needs and unresolved grief, and emotional temperament were marked by anxiety and inhibition. Participants reported that schema therapy facilitated greater emotional awareness, challenged maladaptive patterns, and fostered healthier coping strategies. These effects were described qualitatively through clients’ narratives rather than measured quantitatively. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of examining the transformational roots of schemas and the stabilizing factors of grief, highlighting the effectiveness of schema therapy in treating psychopathological grief and correcting the associated schemas. In practical terms, these results suggest that schema therapy can be applied as a clinical intervention to improve emotional awareness, restructure maladaptive schemas, and prevent recurrence of grief-related symptoms.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237070_26cf64bf4f740713f63b13d62a9d662f.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 The Relationship of Emotional Flexibility and Kindness with Marital Burnout: The Chain Mediating Role of "We-ness" and Couples' Flourishing 140 146 237071 10.30491/ijbs.2025.527389.2243 EN Ahmad Mazhabdar Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0009-0003-2246-8077 Mohammadreza Tamannaeifar Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0000-0003-0858-7216 Nooshin Safaeian Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran 0009-0009-5010-3968 Journal Article 2025 09 18 Introduction: The current research investigates the chain mediating role of we-ness and couple flourishing in the relationship of emotional flexibility and kindness with marital burnout. Method: This investigation is a correlational one conducted through structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of the married students at the University of Kashan. Based on Soper's formula, 297 participants were selected using convenience sampling. They completed the Emotional Flexibility Scale, Marital Burnout Measure, We-ness Scale, and Flourishing Scale. The data analysis was performed with the SPSS-28 and AMOS-28 software. Results: The results of the analysis revealed that the correlations of emotional flexibility, kindness, we-ness, and flourishing with marital burnout were negative and significant. Also, the correlation of emotional flexibility and kindness with we-ness and that of we-ness with flourishing were positive and significant (p < .01). Furthermore, the indirect effects of emotional flexibility and kindness on marital burnout, mediated by we-ness and flourishing, were negative and significant (p < .001). Conclusion: Emotional flexibility and kindness, as personality strengths, can efficiently contribute to the prevention of marital burnout by enhancing we-ness and couple flourishing.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237071_dff73e9dc448bcb8d00daa836268880b.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 Examining the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Selective Attention in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury 147 153 237072 10.30491/ijbs.2025.526359.2242 EN Samane Farzamkia Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0003-3851-718X Seyed Ruhollah Hosseini Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0001-7320-3501 Babak Ganjeifar Department of Neurological Surgery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0002-5212-5791 Mohammad Saeid AbdeKhodaei Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0001-7878-1941 Journal Article 2025 09 21 Introduction: Patients with mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) constitute a significant proportion of brain injury cases. The mTBI often leads to cognitive deficits, including impaired selective attention, which can significantly impact daily functioning. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on selective attention in patients with mTBI. Method: The current study employed a single-blind randomized controlled trial and quasi-experimental design to examine the effectiveness of tDCS on selective attention in mTBI patients. The participants were randomly assigned to active, sham, and control groups. Fifteen female patients diagnosed with mTBI were recruited via convenience sampling. To evaluate participants' selective attention, a computerized version of CWST was used for pre- and post-intervention assessments. The intervention protocol included 20 minutes of 1.5 mA tDCS stimulation applied to the left dlPFC for 10 sessions. The data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA in SPSS-24. Results: Findings indicated a notable improvement in selective attention within the active tDCS group; however, the differences between groups did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest a potential role for tDCS in improving selective attention in patients with mTBI, warranting further investigation with larger sample sizes.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237072_5c10d5dca13962f771278b544e031b0a.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 Impact of Reality Therapy on Alexithymia and Social Cognition in Adolescents with Blood Coagulation Disorders: A Two-Phase Follow-up Study 154 164 237074 10.30491/ijbs.2025.530246.2248 EN Elham Ahangaran Department of Psychology, SR.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-7238-3117 Fariborz Dortaj Department of Educational Psychology, University of Allameh Tabataba’i, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-9186-2196 Fatemeh Ghaemi Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-3157-9698 Bita Nasrolahi Department of Psychology, SR.C, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 09 23 Introduction: Alexithymia is a personality trait involving difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, which can impair emotional regulation. Adolescents with blood coagulation disorders may experience alexithymia due to the psychological burden of their chronic medical condition, impacting their emotional well-being and social functioning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of reality therapy on alexithymia and social cognition among adolescents diagnosed with blood coagulation disorders. Method: Conducted in two phases, the research first developed and validated an educational package based on reality therapy principles. In the second phase, a semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and a three-month follow-up was implemented. A total of 32 adolescents aged 13–18 with hemostatic disorders, registered at the Iranian Hemophilia Society in Tehran, were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The intervention comprised eight weekly 90-minute group sessions based on reality therapy principles, including the WDEP system, with active parent involvement to support adolescents' emotional and behavioral development. The data collection tools included the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Student Social Cognition Questionnaire (SHAD). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA for pre-test, post-test, and follow-up comparisons. Results: The intervention group showed significant reductions in total alexithymia scores and its subscales: difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally-oriented thinking (F = 27.45, p < 0.001, η² = 0.48). Additionally, improvements were observed in social cognition, including self-awareness and recognition of educational threats, sustained through the three-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Enhancements were also observed in social cognition, including self-awareness and recognition of educational threats. These improvements remained stable at the three-month follow-up, suggesting that reality therapy has a lasting positive effect on emotional processing and social understanding in this population.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237074_7abafcea55fa5cdbea123581af51069d.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Spousal Violence: Mediating Role of Interpersonal Schemas 165 172 237075 10.30491/ijbs.2025.531216.2250 EN Banafsheh Aleyaran Department of Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Fahimeh Dehghani Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Zahra Naderi Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Journal Article 2025 09 25 Introduction: Spousal violence is among the main causes of divorce; hence, identifying its predictors is essential. This study examined the relationship between childhood emotional maltreatment and spousal violence, mediated by interpersonal schemas. Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, the statistical population included all divorce seekers who were referred to the counseling centers under the contract with Isfahan Court of Law Between May and July 2021. For this purpose, 211 individuals who were selected using the convenience sampling method completed the Strauss et al.'s Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Interpersonal Schema (ISQ). Data were analyzed using path analysis by SPSS-22 and AMOS-22 software. Results: The findings of the path analysis indicated that emotional abuse, through a decrease in the affiliation dimension of the interpersonal schema (mother, father, and spouse forms), increased spousal violence (Indirect effect: 0.11, p< 0.01). Likewise, emotional neglect, through a decrease in the affiliation dimension of the interpersonal schema (mother and father forms), also increased spousal violence (Indirect effect: 0.09, p< 0.01). Conclusion: Childhood emotional maltreatment increases spousal violence through the formation of interpersonal schemas. The findings highlight the need for preventive and therapeutic interventions that enhance parental emotional responsiveness and reconstruct interpersonal schemas to reduce intergenerational transmission of violence.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237075_5f96bcbbb9b41e3bcee4a8d3b51af150.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 The Relationship between Mentalization and Aggression Mediated by Positive and Negative Affect in Female Students 173 178 237076 10.30491/ijbs.2025.541682.2265 EN Atena Farhang Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran 0009-0000-3815-5372 Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Nouredinvand Department of Psychology, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran 0009-0005-8622-9248 Journal Article 2025 09 27 Introduction: Adolescent girls undergo significant developmental changes during puberty, which can influence aggressive behaviors, impacting their emotional and psychological well-being. This study examines the relationship between mentalization—the ability to understand mental states—and aggression, mediated by positive and negative affect, among female high school students. Method: Employing a descriptive-correlational design, the research sampled 200 female students from second-level secondary schools in Ahvaz during the 2023-2024 academic year, selected via multi-stage random cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Mentalization Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and Aggression Questionnaire, and analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficients and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSS-24 and Amos-21 software. Results: Findings indicated a robust model fit, with mentalization significantly predicting increased positive affect and decreased negative affect (P<0.001), though it showed no direct effect on aggression. Positive affect negatively influenced aggression, while negative affect positively influenced it (P<0.001). Mentalization indirectly reduced aggression through both affect pathways (P<0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that mentalization modulates aggression via emotional regulation. Interventions targeting aggression in adolescent girls could focus on enhancing mentalization and fostering skills to regulate positive and negative affect, thereby promoting emotional well-being.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237076_92ce1c46d2c17f8930944d19270ae11a.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 Social Networks Use and Executive Functions: The Mediating Role of Social Cognition in University Students 179 185 237077 10.30491/ijbs.2025.531519.2251 EN Masoumeh Rahimpour Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran 0009-0006-9853-5602 Alireza Kakavand Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran 0000-0001-8795-4699 Esmaeil Shiri Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran 0000-0002-7232-6128 Journal Article 2025 09 29 Introduction: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the extent of social network use and executive functions, with the mediating role of social cognition. Method: The research is fundamental in nature and employs a descriptive-correlational design using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for data analysis. The population consisted of all students at Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin across all academic levels during the 2023–2024 academic year. A sample of 250 students was selected through cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Social Networks Usage Questionnaire (SNUQ), the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS), and the Social Cognition Questionnaire (SCQ). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted using AMOS 24. Results: The proposed model demonstrated good fit indices. Social network use showed a significant positive effect on executive dysfunction (β = 0.27, p = .001) and a negative effect on social cognition (β = −0.51, p = .001). Social cognition negatively predicted executive dysfunction (β = −0.58, p = .001), mediating the relationship between social network use and executive functions (indirect effect = 0.31, 95%). Conclusion: Excessive social network use may impair social cognition and executive functioning both directly and indirectly. These findings highlight the importance of fostering digital literacy to mitigate the cognitive consequences of problematic social media use.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_237077_b113f3af30db049bf997eaa54061eb1c.pdf

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Behavioral Sciences 2322-1194 19 3 2025 11 01 Unlocking Classroom Learning: The Mediating Power of Task-Specific Perception and Organizing in Bridging Students and Contextual Dynamics 186 196 238615 10.30491/ijbs.2026.534200.2254 EN Mahdiyeh Dostmohammadi Department pf Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran Siavash Talepasand Department pf Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran 0000-0002-7534-5711 Isaac Rahimian-Boogar Department pf Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran 0000-0003-3029-9050 Journal Article 2025 09 30 Introduction: This study investigates how classroom dynamics are shaped by context characteristics (task norms, content difficulty) and student attributes (meta-cognition, self-efficacy) through mediating processes of task-specific perception and organization, based on Eynde and Turner's multidimensional model. The goal is to validate a structural model linking these factors to learning outcomes, offering actionable insights for educators. Method: A correlational study of 404 Iranian ninth-graders (180 boys, 224 girls) employed multi-stage random sampling. Participants completed Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Self-regulation questionnaire, Effort scale, Rating of perceived exertion, Self-efficacy questionnaire, Academic control scale, Self-concept questionnaire, Meta-Emotion and Meta-Cognition questionnaire, a teacher-made mathematics test, The Personal Belief Assessment Questionnaire, Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, Classroom structure scale, Semnan Value-Expectancy Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzed pathways between variables. Mediation analysis using bootstrap methods with 1000 samples and 95% confidence interval revealed significant indirect effects. Results: Context characteristics influenced organization through task-specific perception (β=0.131, p<.05), explaining 13.1% of the total effect. Student characteristics affected organization via task-specific perception (β=0.228, p<.05), accounting for 22.8% of the total effect. Additionally, student characteristics impacted classroom learning through organization (β=0.428, p<.05), explaining 42.8% of the total effect. Task-specific perception also influenced classroom learning through organization (β=0.182, p<.05), mediating 18.2% of the total effect. The strongest indirect effect is the path of student characteristics on organization and ultimately on classroom learning. Discussion: Task-specific perception and organizational strategies critically bridge student-context interactions. Educators should prioritize emotionally supportive environments and meta-cognitive skill development. Future research should explore cross-cultural applications and additional mediators (e.g., teacher rapport) to enhance predictive power.

https://www.behavsci.ir/article_238615_dc32fabc61cb449f73aaec1c48e19c02.pdf