Applied Family Therapy Journal (خانواده درمانی کاربردی)

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the role of self-esteem in marital relationships, examining how self-esteem influences marital satisfaction, communication, and overall relationship dynamics. Methods: This research utilizes a descriptive analytical narrative review approach. Data were collected from valid scientific databases, including both Persian and English sources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, Magiran, and IranDoc. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies that examined the link between self-esteem and marital relationships. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify key themes, patterns, and differences across the literature. Findings: The analysis reveals that self-esteem is a critical factor in marital satisfaction, with individuals possessing higher self-esteem experiencing more fulfilling and stable relationships. Self-esteem also plays a significant role in improving communication between couples, reducing marital conflicts, and enhancing emotional intimacy. Furthermore, the review highlights a reciprocal relationship between self-esteem and sexual satisfaction, where individuals with higher sexual self-esteem demonstrate better marital functioning. Cross-cultural comparisons between Persian and English literature suggest similar themes but also reveal cultural nuances in the perception and role of self-esteem within marriages. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of self-esteem in marital relationships, suggesting that higher self-esteem leads to better marital satisfaction, improved communication, and reduced conflicts. Interventions aimed at boosting self-esteem, particularly among women, could have a positive impact on marital dynamics and overall family well-being. The study calls for greater attention from family counselors and institutions to promote self-esteem through workshops and educational programs, ultimately contributing to happier and more stable marriages.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based acceptance training package on the attitude of mothers of children with ASD. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of mothers of children with ASD attending the Special Children’s Clinic at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Using convenient sampling, 30 mothers were selected. These mothers were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group received the 12-session, 120-minute mindfulness-based acceptance training package, while no intervention was applied to the control group. Both groups completed the Parent Attitude Toward Special Needs Children Scale (Gonder, 2002) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using the covariance matrix analysis method in SPSS version 27. Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental group, which received the mindfulness-based acceptance training package, and the control group in terms of overall attitude (p < 0.001). The effect of the intervention was also stable at the follow-up stage (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that a mindfulness-based acceptance training package can foster a positive attitude in mothers of children with ASD. Therefore, this training package can be utilized to promote a positive attitude among mothers of children with ASD.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of stress inoculation training on emotional regulation, Childbirth Self-Efficacy and natural childbirth anxiety in pregnant women. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test and a control group. The sample was selected using convenience random sampling, and 45 pregnant women experiencing natural childbirth anxiety were recruited from healthcare centers. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). The experimental groups received stress inoculation training, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The research instrument included the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) (Wijma et al., 1998), which was administered during the pre-test and post-test phases across all three groups. Findings: The results indicated that stress inoculation training had a significant effect on reducing natural childbirth anxiety and increasing positive emotional regulation and childbirth self-efficacy, while negative emotional regulation decreased among women in the experimental groups. Conclusion: Stress inoculation training can be utilized as an effective approach to reducing anxiety and improving emotional regulation and self-efficacy in pregnant women with natural childbirth anxiety, thereby promoting mental health and facilitating a more positive childbirth experience.

Objective: The present study aimed to model marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving on children's mental health with the mediating role of parental emotional support. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational and of the structural equation modeling type. The study population included all adolescent girls aged 15 to 18 years along with their parents residing in Tehran in 2024, from whom 258 adolescents and their parents were selected as the sample through convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (EMSS, ENRICH, 1987) and the Problem-Solving Styles Questionnaire (PSS, Cassidy & Long, 1996) for parents, and the Emotional Atmosphere Questionnaire (FEA, Hilburn, 1964) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, Goldberg, 1979) for adolescents. Parents responded to the Marital Satisfaction and Problem-Solving Styles Questionnaires, while adolescents responded to the Emotional Atmosphere and Mental Health Questionnaires. Findings: The results showed that the proposed model had a good fit. Findings also indicated that the direct path of marital satisfaction, parental problem-solving, and parental emotional support to children's mental health was significant (P < 0.05), and the indirect path of marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving to children's mental health through parental emotional support was also significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that marital satisfaction and parental problem-solving can affect children's mental health through parental emotional support.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of schema-based and mindful parenting training on reducing sleep problems and aggression in children with mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: The research utilized a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest measurements, a control group, and a one-month follow-up. The study population consisted of 7- to 12-year-old children with mild ASD and their mothers from autism centers in Mashhad, Iran. Forty children (20 boys and 20 girls) and their mothers were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two intervention groups (schema-based and mindful parenting) and one control group. Both intervention groups received 12 weekly 90-minute training sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Aggression Questionnaire and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software using one-way ANOVA and covariance analysis (ANCOVA). Findings: Results showed that both schema-based and mindful parenting interventions significantly reduced sleep problems and aggression in children with mild ASD. The schema-based parenting group exhibited notable improvements in child-parent interactions and a reduction in maladaptive behaviors, while the mindful parenting group demonstrated enhanced maternal acceptance, reduced parenting stress, and improved emotional understanding of the child. Post-intervention comparisons indicated significant differences between experimental and control groups, with both interventions yielding positive impacts on sleep quality and aggressive behaviors. Conclusion: The findings suggest that schema-based and mindful parenting approaches can be effective in addressing sleep disturbances and reducing aggressive behaviors in children with mild ASD.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the process of meaning formation in adolescents. Methods: The research method was qualitative and utilized a grounded theory approach. The research population consisted of adolescents aged 12–20 years in Isfahan, Iran. Sampling was conducted theoretically. Nine participants were included in the study, and data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews. The data analysis process followed Glaser's (1987) methodology. At the end of the coding stages, the final model of the study was presented. Findings: The results revealed that meaning formation in adolescents occurs through five stages: the occurrence of conflict (a triggering event), expression of conflict (problematic coping with a painful and damaging context, emotional confusion, and protesting against meaning), confrontation with conflict (addressing unclear feelings, focusing on core pain (self-awareness), and developing acceptance capacity), processing conflict (recalling the experience, exploring, expanding and deepening, gaining insight into unmet needs, and processing and accepting one's and others' experiences), and the emergence of resolution and achieving integration (softening and adopting a new perspective, manifesting agency (decision-making), generating experience, and integrating with prior experiences). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be inferred that meaning formation in adolescents occurs as a process. Therefore, it can be concluded that the journey toward finding meaning is not a fixed or instantaneous event but a continuous and evolving process shaped by various experiences and reflections. This process unfolds as a series of interrelated stages, reflecting a dynamic and transformative approach to navigating and understanding significant life changes. This structured delineation of stages provides valuable insights into how individuals actively engage with and create meaning when encountering transformative moments.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on internalized shame, marital disaffection, and inclination toward divorce in couples who had experienced infidelity. Methods: This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all couples who, due to experiencing infidelity by their spouses, referred to licensed counseling and psychotherapy centers of the Iranian Psychological and Counseling Organization, the State Welfare Organization, or psychiatrists licensed by the Iranian Medical Council (Anis Andisheh Clinic) in District 3 of Tehran, during the first quarter of 2024. In this study, the sample size for each of the experimental groups and the control group was 16 people (8 women and 8 men), and a total of 32 individuals were selected. According to the quasi-experimental design, they were chosen through convenience sampling from among volunteers and then randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups by lottery. Data collection instruments included the Internalized Shame Scale by Cook (1993), the Marital Disaffection Scale by Kaiser (1993), and the Inclination Toward Divorce Scale by Rusbult et al. (1986). In this study, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy consisted of eight weeks of two-hour sessions based on the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy protocol by Crane. Findings: The results of data analysis indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had an effect on internalized shame, marital disaffection, and inclination toward divorce in couples who had experienced infidelity. Conclusion: Considering the results, it can be stated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy influences the research variables. It is suggested that further studies be conducted in this area to enhance external validity.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) on marital quality of life and sexual communication intelligence in couples experiencing marital conflicts. Methods: This study was applied in terms of its objective and employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest structure, a two-month follow-up, and a control group for data collection. The statistical population consisted of all couples aged 25 to 40 who had marital conflicts and visited counseling and psychology clinics in District 13 of Tehran in 2023. From this population, 45 couples were selected using purposive sampling. The research instruments included the Sexual Communication Intelligence Questionnaire (Dehkordi et al., 2021) and the Marital Quality of Life Questionnaire (Babci et al., 1995), which were completed by the couples. One group underwent Solution-Focused Therapy in eight 90-minute sessions, while the other group received Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in ten 90-minute sessions. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS software. Findings: The results indicated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy had a positive effect on marital quality of life and sexual communication intelligence. Additionally, Solution-Focused Therapy was also effective in improving these two components (p < .05). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of both therapeutic approaches—Solution-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—on marital quality of life and sexual communication intelligence. A comparison of the two methods revealed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was more effective than Solution-Focused Therapy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Emotional Schema Therapy (EST) in improving relationship quality and conflict resolution styles among betrayed spouses. Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 30 participants from Tehran, Iran, who were recruited through counseling centers and online advertisements. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 participants), which received eight weekly 90-minute EST sessions, or the control group (15 participants), which did not receive any therapeutic intervention during the study period. Data were collected at three time points: pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up, using standardized measures of relationship quality and conflict resolution styles. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 27. Findings: The results indicated significant improvements in both relationship quality and conflict resolution styles in the experimental group compared to the control group. For relationship quality, repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between time and group (F(2, 54) = 82.46, p < .001). Similarly, for conflict resolution styles, a significant interaction effect was observed (F(2, 54) = 76.92, p < .001). Bonferroni post-hoc tests showed that these improvements were sustained at the five-month follow-up. Conclusion: Emotional Schema Therapy is an effective intervention for enhancing relationship quality and conflict resolution styles in betrayed spouses. By targeting maladaptive schemas and promoting emotional regulation, EST provides a comprehensive framework for addressing relational challenges following infidelity. These findings support the integration of EST into marital therapy practices.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the self-efficacy of adolescents with a history of domestic violence. Methods: The research method was a semi-experimental design with a pre-test–post-test structure and a non-equivalent control group. The study population consisted of 69 adolescent girls, aged 14 to 18 years, who had experienced domestic violence and had a case file at the Social Emergency Center of Babol city during the second half of 2023. A total of 45 participants were selected through convenience sampling based on inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to two experimental groups of 15 participants each and one control group of 15 participants. Data were collected using the Morris Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (2001). A summary of TF-CBT sessions, adapted from Cohen (2001), consisting of 10 sessions of 90 minutes each, and a summary of ACT sessions, adapted from Hayes et al. (2004), consisting of 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, were administered to the experimental groups. No intervention was applied to the control group. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SPSS 18 software. Findings: The findings indicated that both TF-CBT and ACT had an effect on the self-efficacy of adolescents with a history of domestic violence. However, TF-CBT was more effective than ACT in enhancing self-efficacy. Conclusion: The results of this study could provide practical implications for therapists and counselors.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological abnormalities and emotional interactions with emotional divorce, with the mediating role of religious beliefs in couples experiencing marital conflicts. Methods: The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population of this study included all couples visiting counseling centers in the city of Neka (Neda-e-Zendegi Counseling Center, Phoenix Counseling Center, Amin Counseling Center, Imam Ali Social Work Counseling Center, and Mental Health Counseling Center) during the first six months of 2022, totaling 686 individuals (343 couples). Using the Krejcie and Morgan table, the sample size was calculated to be 246 individuals, and through a convenience sampling method, those who were interested in participating in the study were selected as the sample. They responded to questionnaires on psychological abnormalities by Najarian and Davoodi (2001), emotional interactions of couples by Brok and Bretman (1995), emotional divorce by Gottman (1995), and religious beliefs by Najafi (2006). Data analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation test, and structural equation modeling with SPSS and AMOS software. Findings: The findings showed that psychological abnormalities had a positive effect on emotional divorce and a negative effect on religious beliefs. Additionally, emotional interactions had a negative effect on emotional divorce and a positive effect on religious beliefs. Furthermore, religious beliefs had a negative effect on emotional divorce in couples. On the other hand, the results indicated that religious beliefs played a mediating role in the relationship between psychological abnormalities, emotional interactions, and emotional divorce in couples. Conclusion: This study highlights the indirect effect of psychological disorders and emotional interactions on emotional divorce, with religious beliefs playing a mediating role among couples experiencing marital conflicts. The findings suggest that strengthening religious beliefs may help reduce emotional divorce, emphasizing the need for interventions that promote emotional well-being and healthy marital dynamics.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the short form of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale (1989), consisting of 18 items, within the population of Afghan families across four provinces in Afghanistan. Methods: The present research was descriptive and correlational in nature. A total of 320 families, including fathers, mothers, and one child from each family (960 participants in total), participated in this study using convenience sampling. Data were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach with the statistical packages SmartPLS 4 and SPSS 27. Findings: After obtaining feedback from Afghan university professors and participants, the face validity of the scale was confirmed. The reliability of the scale was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR). The reliability coefficients were calculated as 0.79 for fathers, 0.78 for mothers, and 0.78 for children, with CR values at satisfactory levels. Convergent validity was evaluated using the average variance extracted (AVE), and discriminant validity was assessed and confirmed using the Heterotrait-Monotrait (HTMT) ratio. To improve the model and enhance discriminant validity, two items related to the dimensions of Environmental Mastery and Personal Growth were removed. The findings demonstrated that the reliability and validity evaluations of the scales used in this study were statistically sound and reliable. Conclusion: The study concluded that the 18-item version of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for use within the Afghan family population. Therapists in Iran working with Afghan migrants, as well as Afghan therapists residing in Afghanistan, can utilize this tool in their clinical and research settings.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of wisdom-based couples therapy on the sense of coherence, cognitive-affective empathy, and emotion regulation in conflicted couples. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental, utilizing a pre-test–post-test design with a control group and follow-up. The statistical population included all couples with less than five years of marital life in Tehran who sought counseling at Andisheh, Athena, and Golchin Raz counseling centers during the summer and fall of 2023 to improve their intimate relationships. For sample selection, an announcement regarding session formation and initial registration conditions was disseminated to clients and consulting colleagues for referrals. After registration, eligible couples were selected through an initial interview based on the inclusion criteria. A total of 40 individuals were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Notably, each group consisted of eight couples experiencing conflict. The research instruments included the Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (Barati & Sanai, 1996), the Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1993), the Empathy Scale (Baron-Cohen, 2004), and the Emotion Regulation Scale (Williams et al., 1997). Descriptive statistics (charts, tables, frequency, percentage, mean, variance, etc.) were used to organize, summarize, and present the collected data. To test the research hypotheses, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were employed for pairwise comparisons among research groups. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24. Findings: The results indicated that wisdom-based couples therapy significantly influenced the sense of coherence, cognitive-affective empathy, and emotion regulation in conflicted couples. Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that wisdom-based couples therapy contributes to the improvement of the sense of coherence, cognitive-affective empathy, and emotion regulation in conflicted couples.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of cultural silence and emotional suppression within Asian-American families. Methods: This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to investigate emotional suppression among 24 Asian-American adults residing in the United States. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity across ethnic subgroups and generational backgrounds. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via secure video conferencing platforms. Interviews lasted between 60 and 90 minutes and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Thematic analysis was performed through an inductive coding process that emphasized participants’ subjective interpretations and cultural meaning-making around emotional expression. Findings: Four major themes emerged from the data: family communication norms, cultural identity and emotional suppression, impacts on mental and emotional health, and pathways to emotional expression and healing. Participants reported indirect communication, emotional stoicism, and intergenerational silence as common patterns within their families. These dynamics were often reinforced by cultural expectations of respect, shame, and self-control. Emotional suppression was linked to internalized distress, difficulty in emotional identification, and barriers to help-seeking. Despite these challenges, participants also described transformative experiences involving therapy, peer support, and bicultural integration that facilitated emotional literacy and relational healing. Conclusion: Emotional suppression and cultural silence in Asian-American families are shaped by deep-rooted cultural values and intergenerational practices. While these patterns may hinder emotional well-being, participants also demonstrated adaptive strategies and agency in redefining emotional norms. These findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive mental health practices that validate heritage while promoting emotional authenticity.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-family connection program in enhancing social belonging and reducing risk behaviors among adolescents. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 13–16 from Hungary, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group participated in a seven-session, school-based Peer-Family Connection Program designed to improve interpersonal communication, emotional regulation, and relational bonding with peers and caregivers. Sessions were conducted weekly, lasting 45–60 minutes each. Social belonging and risk behavior were measured using validated standardized tools at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27. Findings: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between time and group for both social belonging (F(2, 56) = 17.08, p < .001, η² = .39) and risk behavior (F(2, 56) = 14.57, p < .001, η² = .34), indicating that the intervention group improved significantly over time compared to the control group. Bonferroni post-hoc analysis showed significant improvements in social belonging from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) and from pre-test to follow-up (p < .001), with no significant decline between post-test and follow-up. Similarly, risk behavior significantly decreased from pre-test to post-test (p < .001) and remained reduced at follow-up (p < .001), with no significant difference between post-test and follow-up. Conclusion: The Peer-Family Connection Program demonstrated sustained effectiveness in increasing adolescents’ social belonging and reducing their engagement in risk behaviors. These findings support the integration of relational interventions involving both peers and caregivers as a means to promote healthy adolescent development.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of father involvement and mother–father coordination on child social competence in a sample of Mexican families. Methods: A correlational descriptive design was used to explore the relationships between father involvement, mother–father coordination, and social competence in children. The sample consisted of 432 parents from urban and semi-urban regions of Mexico, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Standardized instruments were used to assess each variable: the Inventory of Father Involvement (IFI), the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS), and the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationships between each independent variable and the dependent variable, and multiple linear regression was performed to determine the combined and unique predictive effects of the two independent variables on child social competence. Findings: Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that father involvement (r = .43, p < .01) and mother–father coordination (r = .47, p < .01) were both significantly and positively associated with child social competence. The multiple linear regression model was statistically significant (F(2, 429) = 61.42, p < .01), with an R² of .34, indicating that 34% of the variance in social competence was explained by the predictors. Both father involvement (B = 0.06, β = .25, p < .01) and mother–father coordination (B = 0.08, β = .31, p < .01) made significant unique contributions to the model. Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical roles of both direct paternal engagement and coordinated coparenting in fostering children’s social competence. Interventions aiming to enhance children’s social skills should incorporate strategies that support father involvement and strengthen collaborative parenting dynamics.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of parental anxiety and parental criticism on child internalizing symptoms in a South African sample. Methods: The research employed a correlational descriptive design with a sample of 470 parents of children aged 6 to 12 years, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table. Participants were recruited from various regions of South Africa. Standardized instruments were used, including the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for child internalizing symptoms, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for parental anxiety, and the Perceived Criticism Measure (PCM) for parental criticism. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, applying Pearson correlation coefficients to examine the relationships between variables and multiple linear regression to determine the predictive power of parental anxiety and criticism on child internalizing symptoms. Findings: Pearson correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between child internalizing symptoms and both parental anxiety (r = .61, p < .01) and parental criticism (r = .53, p < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that both parental anxiety (β = .49, t = 12.67, p < .001) and parental criticism (β = .33, t = 8.82, p < .001) significantly predicted child internalizing symptoms. The overall model was statistically significant (F(2, 467) = 183.19, p < .001), with an R² of .44, indicating that 44% of the variance in child internalizing symptoms was explained by the two predictors. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that higher levels of parental anxiety and criticism are associated with increased internalizing symptoms in children. These results highlight the importance of addressing both emotional and behavioral aspects of parenting in preventive and therapeutic interventions aimed at supporting child mental health.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of shame in the relationship between parental rejection and child emotion dysregulation among adolescents in Colombia. Methods: The research employed a descriptive correlational design using a sample of 482 adolescents aged 10 to 17, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie sampling table. Participants were recruited from public and private schools in urban areas of Colombia. Standardized tools were used to measure perceived parental rejection, internalized shame, and emotion dysregulation. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation to assess bivariate relationships and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS-21 to evaluate the direct, indirect, and total effects within the hypothesized mediation model. Assumptions for normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were checked and confirmed prior to analysis. Findings: Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between parental rejection and shame (r = .61, p < .001), parental rejection and emotion dysregulation (r = .58, p < .001), and shame and emotion dysregulation (r = .65, p < .001). SEM results indicated that the structural model had a good fit (χ²(84) = 211.63, χ²/df = 2.52, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.055). Parental rejection significantly predicted shame (β = 0.61, p < .001), and shame significantly predicted emotion dysregulation (β = 0.54, p < .001). A significant direct effect was found from parental rejection to emotion dysregulation (β = 0.33, p < .001), alongside a significant indirect effect through shame (β = 0.33, p < .001), supporting full mediation. Conclusion: The findings suggest that shame is a critical emotional mechanism linking perceived parental rejection to difficulties in emotion regulation among adolescents. Targeting shame in therapeutic and educational interventions may mitigate the negative emotional consequences of parental rejection and promote emotional resilience in youth.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between parental conflict and adolescent sleep problems. Methods: A descriptive correlational design was employed using a sample of 404 adolescents from Pakistan, selected based on the Morgan and Krejcie table. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring perceived parental conflict, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27 for Pearson correlation analysis and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The assumptions of normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were confirmed prior to analysis. The SEM approach allowed for testing both direct and indirect pathways within the proposed mediation model. Findings: Results from Pearson correlation indicated significant positive associations between parental conflict and anxiety (r = .51, p < .001), anxiety and sleep problems (r = .55, p < .001), and parental conflict and sleep problems (r = .47, p < .001). The structural model demonstrated good fit indices (χ² = 204.38, df = 84, χ²/df = 2.43, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.96, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.059). SEM analysis showed that parental conflict significantly predicted anxiety (b = 0.38, p < .001) and sleep problems (b = 0.19, p < .001), while anxiety significantly predicted sleep problems (b = 0.42, p < .001). The indirect effect of parental conflict on sleep problems through anxiety was also significant (b = 0.16, p < .001), confirming the mediating role of anxiety. Conclusion: The findings indicate that anxiety is a significant mediator in the relationship between parental conflict and adolescent sleep disturbances. These results underscore the need for family-based and anxiety-focused interventions to address sleep problems in adolescents exposed to high-conflict home environments.