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Han J.,
Moradi, S.,
Wang W.,
Li N.,
Zhao Q.,
Luo Z.,
Nejatifar, S.,
Abedi, A.,
Ghamarani, A.,
Asanjarani, F. Publication Date: 2025
Frontiers in Marine Science (22967745)pp. 373-386
Infrared (IR) small dim target detection under complex background is crucial in many fields, such as maritime search and rescue. However, due to the interference of high brightness background, complex edges/corners and random noises, it is always a difficult task. Especially, when a target approaches a high brightness background area, the target will be easily submerged. In this paper, a new contrast method framework named hybrid contrast measure (HCM) is proposed, it consists of two main modules: the relative global contrast measure (RGCM) calculation, and the small patch local contrast weighting function. In the first module, instead of using some neighboring pixels as benchmark directly during contrast calculation, the sparse and low rank decomposition method is adopted to get the global background of a raw image as benchmark, and a local max dilation (LMD) operation is applied on the global background to recover edge/corner information. A Gaussian matched filtering operation is applied on the raw image to suppress noises, and the RGCM will be calculated between the filtered image and the benchmark to enhance true small dim target and eliminate flat background area simultaneously. In the second module, the Difference of Gaussians (DoG) filtering is adopted and improved as the weighting function. Since the benchmark in the first module is obtained globally rather than locally, and the patch size in the second module is very small, the proposed algorithm can avoid the problem of the targets approaching high brightness backgrounds and being submerged by them. Experiments on 14 real IR sequences and one single frame dataset show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, it can usually achieve better detection performance compared to the baseline algorithms from both target enhancement and background suppression point of views. Copyright © 2025 Han, Moradi, Wang, Li, Zhao and Luo.
Publication Date: 2025
International Journal of Adolescence and Youth (02673843)30(1)
This study examines the influence of academic vitality and academic self-regulation on students' career aspirations. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach is employed to analyze data collected from 310 students in grades 7−9. The findings demonstrate that both academic vitality and academic self-regulation exert positive and significant effects on career aspirations. However, academic self-regulation has a stronger influence compared to academic vitality. Additionally, a marginal indirect effect suggests that self-regulation might indirectly impact career aspirations through academic vitality. These results highlight the importance of fostering both academic vitality, characterized by intrinsic motivation and enjoyment of learning, and academic self-regulation, encompassing skills for goal setting, managing workload, and navigating academic challenges. By supporting these factors, educators and parents can empower students to develop clear and ambitious career aspirations. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Szczygieł, M.,
Hunt, T.E.,
Sarı, M.H.,
Milovanović, I.,
Asanjarani, F.,
Gunčaga j., ,
Osaďan, R. Publication Date: 2025
European Educational Research Journal (14749041)
Math-related affective characteristics of primary school teachers are important for students’ mathematical emotions, attitudes, and achievements. However, many previous studies have been conducted with pre-service teachers, often involving small samples. To fill this gap, we tested 1153 primary school teachers in the U.K., Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Iran, to explore mean levels and correlates of math anxiety, math teaching anxiety, and math attitudes. We observed that, in general, teachers were characterized by low-to-moderate math anxiety and math teaching anxiety, and neutral-to-positive math attitudes. We also observed relationships between all the variables in accordance with expectations. Our study allows for a more systematic view on the domain-specific characteristics of primary school teachers across several countries. This represents an important step in understanding commonalities in math-specific emotions and attitudes among primary school teachers. Further to this, we provide insight into measurement considerations and discuss the importance of identifying and supporting future, and existing, teachers who experience anxiety in relation to math and the teaching of it. Beyond averages, the data indicated high math (teaching) anxiety and negative math attitudes among some teachers, representing a need to address this multi-nationally. © The Author(s) 2025
Publication Date: 2025
Language Testing in Asia (22290443)15(1)
Although anxiety in the context of learning a foreign language has been widely studied, the anxiety experienced by foreign language teachers seems to be neglected. While research primarily focuses on foreign language anxiety in a learning context, there is insufficient research to assess the psychometric properties of Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety (FLTA) scale among Iranian teachers. Therefore, this study aims to present the preliminary results of the validity and reliability of the Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety Scale (FLTAS) among Iranian teachers. Using a convenience sampling procedure, a total of 468 Iranian foreign language teachers (female, n = 333) responded to an online survey. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed a 5-factor structure resembling the original factor structure in the Persian language. Moreover, the results showed that the Persian version of FLTA exhibited high internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Overall, the results support the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the FLTAS, which can be used to assess foreign language teaching anxiety. © The Author(s) 2025.
Publication Date: 2025
Asian Education and Development Studies (20463170)
Purpose – In our study, conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown, we shifted the focus to students and compared their school belonging, academic engagement and obsession with COVID-19 using a representative sample of boys and girls from rural and urban areas in both countries. Design/methodology/approach – We tested a total of 709 Iranian students (369 girls) and 603 Pakistani students (380 girls) aged between 11 and 16 years. Findings – Our findings indicate that Pakistani students, compared to Iranian students, exhibit higher levels of academic engagement and school belonging, but only in terms of the inclusion dimension. There were no significant differences in school belonging in the exclusion dimension or in the level of obsession with COVID-19 among students from both countries. However, Iranian students scored higher than Pakistani students regarding overall school belonging. Originality/value – Considering differences in students’ situations in Iran and Pakistan, we were interested in whether there are differences in academic engagement, school belonging and anxiety related to COVID-19 in students from both countries. Until now, many studies have investigated the effects of the pandemic on the lives of societies, but few have been conducted among students. This study had the unique chance to compare Iranian and Pakistani students during lockdowns and Internet-based schools. Therefore, this study aimed to compare students’ engagement, school belonging and obsession with COVID-19 in a vast and representative sample (gender and inhabitancy) of Iranian and Pakistani students. © Emerald Publishing Limited
Esfahani M.D.,
Khanlari P.,
Asanjarani, F.,
Jafari, F.,
Fatehizade, M.,
Etemadi toudeshki, O.,
De mol, J. Publication Date: 2024
BMC Public Health (14712458)(1)pp. 141-155
Background: Burnout is an increasing public health concern. Its prevalence has extended across diverse professions globally, posing significant challenges to individuals, organizations, and society. This phenomenon has undermined employee well-being, productivity, and organizational effectiveness, making it a critical concern in contemporary work environments. The present study aimed to examine the adaptation and assess the validity of the Persian version of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). Methods: The adaptation process included the translation and back-translation of the BAT. Data were collected on a sample of 580 teachers using the convenience sampling. The BAT-Persian and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were administered to collect the data. The reliability, factorial structure of the BAT-C and BAT-S, and the convergent and discriminant validity of BAT-C and work engagement were explored. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported a four-factor structure for the core dimensions (BAT-C; exhaustion, mental distance, emotional impairment, cognitive impairment), and a two-factor structure for the secondary dimensions (BAT-S; psychological distress, psychosomatic complaints). In the second-order model, the item loadings on the four factors of BAT-C ranged from 0.35 to 0.85, and on two factors of BAT-S ranged from 0.63 to 0.89. The Persian versions of the BAT-C and BAT-S showed good internal consistency (respectively, α = 0.95 and 0.90). Additional evidence supports the convergent and discriminant validity of the BAT-GR. the BAT‐C and its scales were negatively correlated with work engagement and dimensions (i.e., vigor, dedication, and absorption). Moreover, the BAT‐S and its scales negatively correlated with work engagement and dimensions. Conclusions: This study provided evidence that the Iranian version of BAT represents a reliable and valid tool for measuring burnout in the work context. A reliable and valid tool for assessing burnout in the Iranian workplace enables early detection of employee distress, allowing for timely intervention and support. This means that identifying the signs and symptoms of burnout in the early stages can prevent more severe consequences such as absenteeism, reduced productivity, or turnover. © The Author(s) 2024.
Ashraf, F.,
Tariq, S.,
Farooqi, R.,
Khan, M.A.,
Griffiths, M.D.,
Asanjarani, F. Publication Date: 2024
Iranian Journal Of Public Health (22516085)53(1)pp. 157-166
Background: Medical health practitioners, particularly those working in cancer units, are vulnerable to poor psychological outcomes. The present study was designed to examine the influence of workplace bullying on the mental health of medical and paramedical staff by testing workplace burnout as a mediating factor. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, 220 Muslim medical staff officers from the cancer units of three hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, were assessed for workplace bullying, mental health, and workplace burnout using the standardized psychometric measures (i.e., Negative Act Questionnaire; Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; and Maslach Burnout Inventory). Data were collected from 2019-2020. Results: Workplace bullying and workplace burnout were directly related to mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Moreover, workplace burnout significantly mediated the paths between workplace bullying and mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms), suggesting that workplace burnout increases vulnerability to other mental health issues. Conclusion: A need for counseling and suitable management strategies to support medical staff working in cancer units is required. © 2024 Ashraf et al.
Publication Date: 2024
Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs (14713802)24(2)pp. 311-323
It is well-known that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific learning disorder (SLD) often exhibit behavioural and emotional problems. However, little is known about how these problems compare between the two groups of children. This study sought to fill this gap in knowledge by comparing the executive functions and behavioural–emotional problems of children with ADHD, SLD and typically developing children. For this study, 94 children were recruited through purposeful sampling (ADHD = 23, SLD = 30 and TD = 41). All participants were screened based on WISC-IV. Subsequently, participants were administered executive functions and behavioural problems questionnaires. The analysis of the data using MANOVA and Scheffe post hoc pairwise shows that children with ADHD and SLD had significantly higher scores on measures of executive function impairment than typically developing children. Our study revealed that children in the ADHD group scored significantly higher in social problems, aggressive behaviours, AD/HD problems, ODD, conduct problems and externalizing problems sub-tests. Conversely, the LD group demonstrated higher scores in the anxiety problems sub-test. Furthermore, Our study demonstrated that children in the ADHD group scored significantly higher in the following sub-tests: metacognition, inhibit, shift, bri, shift and emotion control. In contrast, the LD group exhibited higher scores in the initiate sub-test. In addition, the two groups of children with disorders also exhibited more behavioural–emotional problems than typically developing children. These findings suggest that ADHD and SLD are associated with impaired executive function and increased behavioural–emotional problems. These findings have implications for the assessment and treatment of these disorders. © 2023 NASEN.
Publication Date: 2024
Current Psychology (10461310)43(9)pp. 7859-7876
The outbreak of Covid-19 and the rise of remote working have blurred the boundaries between home and work for many professionals, including English Foreign Language teachers (EFL). This situation has provided an opportunity for work-related thoughts to persist even after the task is over. This is the first study to investigate how work-related rumination might result in different work-related behavior patterns by jeopardizing recovery from work. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, the researchers selected 237 EFL teachers (127 female) as the study sample. The work-related rumination and work-related behaviors and patterns questionnaires were administered to collect the data. The findings indicate that different types of work-related rumination affect EFL teachers’ stress reactions and are differentially related to various aspects of their mental health and professional commitment. Specifically, the results show that affective rumination and insufficient psychological detachment from work can predict unhealthy work behavior patterns. However, problem-solving pondering can predict both some healthy and unhealthy work behavior patterns. Our results confirm that work-related rumination can have both positive and negative consequences. It is crucial that EFL teachers develop skills for better management of affective rumination and psychological detachment from work, and set boundaries between work and private life. Additionally, spending time thinking about problem-solving outside of work is an effective way to solve problems and challenges at work, which may decrease occupational impairment. However, this does not mean that EFL teachers should always use their free time for work-related issues. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.
Publication Date: 2024
Deviant Behavior (15210456)
The Triarchic model of psychopathy posits that psychopathy is a composite of phenotypic constructs related to boldness, meanness, and disinhibition. The present research aimed to examine the relationship between behavioral problems (e.g. externalizing disorders) and the dimensions of the Triarchic model of psychopathy (i.e. boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) in adolescents. Most research on psychopathy has focused on adults. In order to understand the origins and predictors of the emergence of psychopathy, there is a need for a study of predictors of the dimensions of psychopathy before adulthood, including adolescents. The study population consisted of 341 male high school students in MASKED FOR REVIEW, who were selected through convenience sampling. The participants completed the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM) questionnaire and The Achenbach Self-Report Form for Behavioral Problems. The results were analyzed using stepwise regression analysis with SPSS version 23. Among the study variables, Disinhibition was most closely related to externalizing disorders. The stepwise regression analysis also showed a significant relationship between externalizing disorders and meanness. However, there was no significant relationship between boldness and externalizing disorders. The Psychopathy Measure holds promise for better assessment and understanding of the behavior problems potentially predictive of the dimensions of psychopathic personality in institutions and clinics. © 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2024
Journal of Research in Childhood Education (02568543)38(3)pp. 373-386
Hybrid homeschooling is still in its initial phase in the Iranian education system and is still a mystery to many educators and parents. This study aimed to explore the reasons for choosing the homeschooling approach for gifted students using a grounded theory method. The sample of this qualitative study included 15 parents of gifted children and 10 specialists in giftedness recruited through purposive sampling. Factors influencing the homeschooling approach were collected through semi-structured interviews with professionals and parents and analyzed by the coding method based on grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1997). The data analysis revealed 143 open codes, 12 axial codes, and three selective codes, including educational challenges of gifted students in school and public education and the demands and expectations of parents and students. The results demonstrated that the Iranian educational system does not meet the needs and expectations of gifted students and their parents; therefore, educators and parents are recommended to use hybrid homeschooling for this group of students. While the participants in this study do not strictly follow a hybrid schooling model, the findings suggest that adopting elements of hybrid schooling could be advantageous for gifted students. © 2023 Childhood Education International.
Publication Date: 2024
Educational and Developmental Psychologist (20590776)41(1)pp. 91-105
Objective: Cyberbullying, which is defined as an intentional, aggressive, and repetitive behaviour where a person or group uses electronic devices (primarily the Internet and smartphones), is a new concept specifically for the Iranian educational system. We examined the Bullying and Cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents’ (BCS-A) psychometric properties in Persian-speaking Iranian adolescents. Design: A sample of 301 students studying in Arak city, Iran (female = 154) completed bullying and cyberbullying scale (BCS-A), School Belonging scale (SBS), and Youth Internalizing and Externalizing Screener (YIBS and YEBS). Result: Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the BCS-A measurement model, which structured each of the 13 items as indicators of the four victimization factors (i.e., physical, verbal, relational, and cyber), provided adequate-data model fit. These analyses also revealed that both victimization and cyber-victimization had adverse predictive effects on school belonging and positive predictive effects on internalizing and externalizing problems. Furthermore, bullying significantly predicted school belonging and mental health problems. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of BCS-A in the Iranian sample. This study is an essential step in validating the scale for Iranian adolescents. This study has some implications for educators, researchers and policymakers. © 2023 Australian Psychological Society.
Publication Date: 2024
International Journal of School and Educational Psychology (21683603)12(3)pp. 137-149
This study reports on developing and validating the School Alienation in Online Schooling Scale (SAOSS). School alienation in online schooling is conceptualized as opposed to school belonging and the main reason for minimal participation, reduced educational benefits, and school dropout in school aged-children, especially during the online learning forced due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This study includes three phases. The first study included item generation and analysis. After the initial analysis, 13 items from the tool were retained. In the second study, exploratory factor analysis was conducted. Two factors emerged from principal component analysis (PCA). In the third study, we investigated the confirmatory factor analysis of SAOSS with a sample of urban students in Iran (grades 7–9, n = 317). The SAOSS has important implications for researchers, school counselors and psychologists, policymakers, and stakeholders. Implication for theory, practice and future research is discussed. © 2024 International School Psychology Association.
Publication Date: 2024
Educational Research and Evaluation (13803611)29(5-6)pp. 322-343
This study investigated the relationship between math anxiety and academic motivation and the mediating role of school belongingness. For data collection, 447 students (boys = 247) were selected using convenience sampling and administered the School Belonging, Educational Motivation, and Mathematics Anxiety Scale. The results showed that school belongingness is negatively correlated with academic motivation; moreover, after controlling gender and age, math anxiety and school belonging predicted academic motivation. In addition, this study found that male students had lower levels of math anxiety than female students, while there were no differences in learning motivation and sense of school belonging between male and female students. The results also showed that age is negatively correlated with academic motivation. However, there was no significant correlation between age and gender and other variables. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 2023
Journal of Loss and Trauma (15325024)28(8)pp. 696-714
The death of a parent is a traumatic experience, and for many female students, it can be especially challenging when the father is no longer around. although most studies focus on the emotional impact of such an event, few have examined how it affects academic performance. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the lived experience of female students’ academic strengths after the death of their father. For this study, 13 female students in their mid-teens who had experienced the death of their fathers were recruited by convenience sampling. Each participant was interviewed using a semi-structured interview, and content analysis was conducted using Colizzi’s steps to derive themes and categories. The study revealed 4 themes, including (1) school-related support, (2) personal strengths, (3) specialist support, and (4) interpersonal and social strengths. The death of the father can have a significant impact on the academic performance of female students. Despite these challenges, this study indicated that female students may show resilience and educational strengths after the death of their father. Moreover, this study indicated the need for more support from society as well as schools for female students who have experienced the death of their father. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2023
Child Indicators Research (1874897X)16(1)pp. 53-67
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns potentially severely impact adolescents’ mental well-being. This research aims to study students’ subjective well-being during the covid-19 pandemic in Iran and investigate the role of loneliness, resilience, and parental involvement. For this study, 629 students (female = 345) were recruited by purposive sampling. Students were assessed on the Student’s Subjective Well-Being, Loneliness Scale, Resilience Scale, and Parental Involvement. The results confirm our hypothesis that the relationship between parental involvement and students’ subjective well-being is mediated by loneliness. Furthermore, the results indicated a partial mediation of resilience in the relationship between parental involvement and students’ subjective well-being. This study theoretically contributes to a better understanding of the factors determining the impact of traumatic events such as a pandemic on adolescents’ mental health. The implications of this study indicate interventions that can be carried out to minimize the negative psychological consequences of the pandemic. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
Publication Date: 2022
Qualitative Research Journal (14480980)22(4)pp. 464-477
Purpose: Divorce has negative effects on children, although emotions that children experience after parental divorce are open to different interpretations. Accordingly, this study was conducted to explore loneliness in children of divorce. Design/methodology/approach: A constructivist grounded theory study was carried out through the lens of definitive guidelines provided by Charmaz (2006). The participants were 15 female children aged 11–12 years, who were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and memos. To analyze data, the authors used four coding techniques, including initial, focused, axial, and theoretical coding. Also, to examine the links between the identified themes, the authors focused on three factors: conditions, actions/interactions, and consequences. Findings: The analysis of the obtained data through the above-mentioned stages led to the identification of three main themes, including parental unavailability, rejection, and mistrust, which shaped children's experience of loneliness through lack of physical access, lack of emotional access, low levels of parental expectations, lack of supervision, absence of belongingness, being ignored, pessimistic views, and insecure relationships. Originality/value: As was suggested by attachment theory, children of divorce lost their attachment bonds with their parents that intensified their perception of loneliness and negatively affected their social and academic performance. It was revealed that, effects of divorce went beyond the loss of the attachment bonds in families because our participants talked about their relationships with peers and their position in a society, where divorce carries the social stigma and children of divorced mother are marginalized. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Publication Date: 2022
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies (17450128)17(3)pp. 281-288
Coronavirus and its stress can have a significant impact on an individual’s psychological and physical well-being. Studies show that children and adolescents are among the most vulnerable groups as they lack adaptive coping strategies. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the mediating effect of optimism and pessimism on the association between coronavirus stress and youth internalizing problems among Iranian adolescents. The sample of this study included 408 students (42.4% female) recruited through cluster sampling. Participants were administered Corona Stress Measure (CSM), Optimism-Pessimism Measure (OPM), and Youth Internalizing Behavior Screener (YIBS). Results from the analyses showed that coronavirus stress was a significant and positive predictor of internalizing problems and pessimism, as well as a negative predictor of optimism. Additionally, the results showed that optimism and pessimism mediated the effect of coronavirus related stress on youth internalizing symptoms. Coronavirus stress significantly predicted internalizing problems through optimism and pessimism among young Iranian people. Given the importance of understanding the relationship between Coronavirus stress and internalizing problems through the mediating role of optimism-pessimism, this study provides the foundation for understanding internalizing behaviors in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 2022
Journal of Child and Family Studies (10621024)31(6)pp. 1596-1606
Although a considerable body of research has indicated that interparental conflict and divorce are risk factors for adolescents’ adjustment problems, few studies have examined the implications for adolescent adjustment in Iranian society. In the US, emotional insecurity, which describes children’s feelings of vulnerability within the family, and parents’ depressive symptoms, have been identified as possible explanatory processes for why interparental conflict is related to adolescents’ adjustment problems. However, these relations have not been investigated in Iran, including among divorced as well as intact families. Incorporating multiple family processes (i.e., emotional security, parental depressive symptoms), in this quasi-experimental exploratory descriptive study, we examined these relations based on a sample of 144 parent-adolescent dyads, 69 of which were from divorced families, in Iran. Parents rated adolescents’ exposure to conflict and reported their own levels of depressive symptoms. Adolescents rated their behavioral adjustment and reported their emotional security in their parents’ relationship. Based on moderated mediation analyses, we found that parents’ depressive symptoms mediated the pathway between interparental conflict and adolescents’ adjustment, specifically for divorced families in our Iranian sample. Our findings highlight the importance of investigating between family functioning and adolescent adjustment in multiple societal contexts. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Publication Date: 2022
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (20556365)32(1)pp. 97-106
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the initial psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of the School Belongingness Scale (SBS) in a sample of Iranian adolescents. Participants included 324 students, ranging in age between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.68, SD = 1.39). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that responses to the Farsi version of the SBS were characterised by a two-factor measurement model, and latent variable path analysis results revealed this measurement model was predictive of adolescents' responses to measures of social, emotional, and behavioural problems (e.g., emotional problems, conduct problems), academic achievement, and prosocial behaviour. These results provide initial evidence suggesting that the scale is psychometrically adequate to measure Iranian students' sense of belonging at school. © 2020 The Author(s).
Publication Date: 2021
Frontiers in Psychology (16641078)12
Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in achievement goal orientation correlates. What is not yet clear is the detailed relationships among students’ goal orientation, students’ personality traits, and parenting style. In so doing, this research responds to the need to analyze the importance of parenting styles (permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian) and students’ traits (psychoticism, neuroticism, and extraversion) in explaining the achievement goal orientations (mastery approach, mastery avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance). In the exploratory correlational study, 586 Iranian students along with their parents were selected as the sample so as to evaluate the structure of the relationships between these variables. The results indicate that students’ psychoticism and neuroticism predict students’ goal orientations (positively: performance and mastery avoidance and negatively: mastery and performance approach) while extraversion did not. Only the authoritative style predicts mastery approach (positively) and psychoticism trait (negatively). Permissive and authoritarian styles do not directly or indirectly predict students’ goal orientations. Copyright © 2022 Asanjarani, Aghaei, Fazaeli, Vaezi and Szczygieł.
Publication Date: 2021
Mental Health, Religion and Culture (14699737)24(1)pp. 23-36
This study aimed to explore the relative contribution of the country of origin associated with adjustment to divorce (AD) and its interactions with several correlate among women from two different cultures, i.e., Iran and Chile. With that purpose, 292 participants, including Muslim Iranian (n=147) and Chilean (n=145) women, completed an AD questionnaire. A hierarchical multiple linear regression test was used to examine the main effect of country of origin, as well as several correlates of AD and their interaction effects. The country of origin was strongly related to AD, with Iranian women reporting lower adjustment levels than Chilean participants. We also identified that the level of prior relationship satisfaction and a new romantic relationship were associated with AD. No interaction effects were identified. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 2021
International Journal of School and Educational Psychology (21683603)9(sup1)
School-based empowerment programs are types of interventions targeting students with or without behavioral, psychological, and emotional difficulties at schools. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of a school-based social and mental empowerment program on students’ behavioral and developmental problems. We hypothesized that providing adolescents with social and emotional skills may result in improved well-being and health. For this study, which involved 1008 students, we recruited 557 students (242 boys and 315 girls) for the intervention group using a cluster sampling. Also, we recruited 451 students (198 boys and 253 girls) for the control group. Students in both groups were administered the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The students in the treatment group received fourteen 90-min sessions designed to address psycho-social and health issues in adolescence, while students in the control group received their regular curriculum. In order to analyze the data, analysis of covariance test was used. Consistent with our hypothesis, respondents in the intervention group had lower difficulties as measured by SDQ and higher pro-social behavior (P <.05). In conclusion, our study showed that the Social and mental Empowerment Program was a structured preventive program and feasible even in low-resource settings. Future studies might benefit from follow-up with participants in the experimental group, as well as including other relevant students’ outcomes. © 2020 International School Psychology Association.
Publication Date: 2021
Preventing School Failure (1045988X)65(3)pp. 223-229
This study investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on math anxiety and math self-concept in elementary school students using an experimental design. For this study, we selected 30 students with high mathematics anxiety and low mathematics self-concept from a larger sample of 142 elementary school students in Arak City, Iran. We randomly assigned participants to either the control or treatment group. The treatment group took part in a 12-session program based on a cognitive-behavioral approach. Math Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) and PALMA math self-concept were used to measure math anxiety and mathematics self-concept. The finding shows that participants in the treatment group reported statistically lower mathematics anxiety and higher mathematics self-concept after participating in group sessions based on CBT intervention. © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2021
Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (10824669)26(4)pp. 302-315
The present study investigated the initial psychometric properties of the Youth Internalizing (YIBS) and Externalizing Behavior Screener (YEBS) in a sample of Iranian adolescents. The participants of the present study included two independent samples of 676 adolescents attending public elementary and high schools in Arak city, Iran. Findings from confirmatory factor analysis indicated that both measures yielded good data-model fit statistics with strong factor loadings for each first-order factor, and all scales had adequate to strong internal and latent construct reliability coefficients. Concurrent validity analyses demonstrated the moderate-to-large and significant associations between the measures and criterion validity outcomes (e.g., emotional problems, peer problems, and conduct problems), and the scales were moderate–to-largely correlated with well-being indicators (i.e., prosocial behavior and school belonging). Furthermore, the results showed substantial differences between youths classified as externalizing and internalizing cases and non-cases, which were characterized by moderate–to–large effect sizes for each of the concurrent variables. Overall, these outcomes provide initial validity and reliability evidence in favor of the Persian version of the YEBS and YIBS as multidimensional measures of students' emotional and behavioral problems at school. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2021
Frontiers in Psychiatry (16640640)12
Objective: The worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused significant public health burdens and psychological dysfunctions. In this challenging time, adolescents require special care. The Persian version of the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) for adolescents was developed to screen for dysfunctional obsession associated with the coronavirus during the global pandemic. The structure and internal consistency of the OCS were established. Design and Measures: Although there are different language versions of the OCS, this is the first study to validate the psychometric properties of the OCS in Iranian adolescents. Seven hundred and nine students (369 girls) participated in the study. Demographic questions and the OCS were administered. Results: The findings provided support for the existence of a unidimensional structure that met the criteria for configural, metric, and full scalar invariance across gender (girls and boys), inhabitancy (urban and rural), and infection experience (infected and non-infected). The OCS is short and highly reliable measurement. However, further research is necessary to establish the validity of the scale in Iranian population. Conclusions: The development of such valid scales is an essential part of both research and practice during times of crisis, like a global pandemic. Diagnosis of pandemic related to obsessive thoughts in adolescents is needed as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and as experts point out, it can be expected that the effects of the pandemic will be observed in the coming years. The Persian version makes it possible to conduct international comparative research on the anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2021 Asanjarani, Szczygieł and Arif.
Publication Date: 2021
Attachment and Human Development (14616734)23(2)pp. 164-175
Aiming to contribute to the cross-cultural understanding of the nature and meaning of the sensitivity construct, this exploratory study observed 26 mothers and their 18–60-month-old children in rural (15) and urban Iran (11) for 30 minutes of free interaction in the home context. This first study to use video observations of parenting in Iran showed that mothers were generally comfortable with being filmed, intercoder reliability could be established for the Ainsworth sensitivity scale, and the full range of sensitivity scores was observed. Qualitative descriptions of representative interactions are provided to illustrate stylistic differences between rural and urban mothers. Urban mothers tended to engage in verbal interactions centered around toys, whereas rural mothers and children often engaged in chores related to the family’s livelihoods such as tending animals, and generally talked less. Both sensitivity and insensitivity were observed in playful and chore-based activities. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Mesman, J.,
Branger, M.,
Woudstra, M.,
Emmen, R.,
Asanjarani, F.,
Carcamo, R.,
Hsiao, C.,
Mels, C.,
Selcuk, B.,
Soares, I. Publication Date: 2020
Child Abuse and Neglect (01452134)99
Background: Definitions of child maltreatment vary widely between studies, and even more so between different cultural contexts. Objective: In this pilot study, we examine between-country variations in maternal notions about what constitutes child maltreatment. Participants and setting: The sample consisted of 466 mothers recruited in Chile, China, Greece, Iran, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, and Uruguay. Methods: All mothers completed a new Q-sort measure, ranking 90 parenting behaviors linked to subtypes of maltreatment (emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and physical abuse) from least to most detrimental to child development. Results: Between-country agreement regarding the harmfulness of the parenting behaviors was high (r =.45), but there were different patterns of reported harmfulness of subtypes of maltreatment (although driven mostly by deviating patterns in the South African sample). Further, there were significant country effects on the number and type of behaviors labeled as maltreatment (pƞ2 =.15), and the number of items labeled as requiring intervention (pƞ2 =.19). Conclusions: Variations in conceptions of maltreatment need to be studied in larger more representative samples and taken into account in the assessment and treatment of child maltreatment across cultures. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
Woudstra, M.,
Van ginkel, J.,
Branger, M.,
Emmen, R.,
Alink, L.,
Asanjarani, F.,
Carcamo, R.,
Hsiao, C.,
Mels, C.,
Selcuk, B. Publication Date: 2020
Data in Brief (23523409)30
Analyses of the present data are reported in the article “Crossing Boundaries: A Pilot Study of Maternal Attitudes about Child Maltreatment in Nine Countries” [8]. Data were collected during home visits using the Maltreatment Q-Sort (MQS). A total of 466 mothers from nine different countries gave their opinion about child maltreatment by sorting 90 cards with parenting behaviors taken from the literature that reflect four types of child maltreatment, into 9 evenly distributed stacks (with 10 cards each) from least to most harmful for the child. This data article provides an overview of the content of the 90 items, which type of maltreatment they reflect, and the source of the items. The percentage of mothers labelling each of the MQS items as maltreatment is also presented. In addition, instructions are included about the administration of the MQS as well as data-entry and analyses of Q-sort data, accompanied by example datasets and syntaxes. This can serve as a manual for researchers interested in using Q-sort data. © 2020 The Author(s)
Publication Date: 2018
Journal of Divorce and Remarriage (10502556)59(2)pp. 141-155
This study was an attempt to determine the factor structure, reliability, validity, and adaptation of the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale (FDAS) for Iranian divorced individuals. The primary rationale for this study was the lack of such an instrument in an Iranian context to help researchers and therapists determine postdivorce adjustment and distinguish those in need of receiving psychological help. Participants of this study were 486 individuals (49.5% men, 50.5% women) who were divorced and were selected from the available population. Participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire, the FDAS (Fisher, 1978), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; Ghanbarnejad & Turki, 2013). The results showed that the internal consistency of FDAS using Cronbach’s alpha was.93 and the split-half coefficient was.89, indicating fine consistency. Also, the internal consistency of FDAS subscales measuring self-worth, disentanglement from the ex-partner, anger, grief, social trust, and social self-worth was.81,.86,.89,.88,.86, and.69, respectively, using Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis shows an adequate convergent validity with the SWLS and GHQ. It can be concluded that the FDAS has an acceptable factor structure, reliability, and validity, and can be used in Iran and other Persian-speaking countries. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2018
Journal of Divorce and Remarriage (10502556)59(2)pp. 108-122
This research explores the effects of participating in the Rebuilding Seminar on postdivorce adjustment and the general health of divorced women in Arak, Iran. For this quasiexperimental study, 15 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Prior to the participation in group intervention, participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale (FDAS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ–28). Participants then completed the 10 weekly, 2-hour group intervention program. After the completion of the group intervention, postintervention questionnaires were administered. Results indicate that this particular educational program affected adjustment in participants on all subscales of the FDAS, except for social self-worth. The results also suggest that the intervention program was effective on all subscales of the GHQ–28, except for somatic symptoms. Due to numerous changes in the life of divorced women and the stressful nature of divorce, designing and implementing effective intervention plans seems necessary and constructive. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Date: 2018
Attachment and Human Development (14616734)pp. 1-8
There is evidence that rural versus urban residence is a salient factor in predicting parenting practices. In what is most likely the very first video-observation study of parenting ever to come out of Iran, mothers and their 18–60-month-old children were observed for 30 min of free interaction at their homes in urban (n = 11) and rural (n = 15) Iran. None of the mothers made any comments about being filmed, none expressed insecurities about what to do, and only four mothers looked at the camera more than once or twice. Compared to rural mothers, urban mothers showed significantly higher levels of verbal expression, warmth, and doing chores as an activity during the observations. However, this did not translate to significant group differences mothers in sensitivity, non-interference, and general involvement with the child. The discussion focuses on different modalities of expressing sensitivity in urban versus rural mothers in Iran. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
