Volume 25, Issue 97 (7-2025)
refahj 2025, 25(97): 257-283 |
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Khodadadzadeh F, Ghojavand G, Talebian Sharif J, Hasanzadeh A. (2025). The effectiveness of social group work interventions using the educational-counseling method on resilience and social adaptation of women facing divorce. refahj. 25(97), : 9 doi:10.32598/refahj.25.97.4573.1
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4365-en.html
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-4365-en.html
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
Divorce and family breakdown are significant social issues with widespread consequences. Divorce is legally defined as the dissolution of a marital relationship, and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. In Iran, divorce rates have risen alarmingly. According to the National Organization for Civil Registration, in the first four months of 2023, 199,724 marriages were recorded, while 65,354 divorces occurred, indicating that approximately one in every three marriages ends in divorce. Research suggests that women experience considerable distress post-divorce, facing loneliness, financial hardships, and societal stigmatization, negatively affecting their self-esteem and social relationships. Consequently, these challenges may lower their resilience and social adaptability.
Adaptation refers to an individual’s ability to cope with environmental and social changes while maintaining a balance between personal needs and societal expectations. Social adaptation includes successful social interactions, understanding others’ needs, and engaging in social activities. Research has shown that divorce can reduce social adaptation and increase feelings of inefficacy. On the other hand, resilience acts as a protective factor, allowing individuals to manage stress and regain psychological equilibrium. Studies indicate that social work interventions can enhance resilience and social adaptation.
Social group work intervention integrates social psychology and sociology to strengthen resilience and adaptability. This approach reduces dependency on others and enhances individuals’ ability to tackle challenges. Various studies have demonstrated that social group work interventions improve social behaviors and prevent social harm.
While previous research has explored these effects, the present study differs by employing an educational-counseling approach within social group work intervention and integrating Beck’s cognitive-behavioral protocol. The study aims to provide a structured intervention for enhancing the resilience and social adaptability of women at risk of divorce. Accordingly, the hypothesis posits that social group work intervention using an educational counseling approach positively affects resilience and social adaptability among women at risk of divorce.
Method
This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group framework. The research population comprised women seeking divorce at the Tolou Social Work Clinic in Mashhad in 2023. Using purposive sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups.
Inclusion criteria included women who had officially filed for divorce, provided informed consent, completed self-report measures, were aged 20-40 years, possessed basic literacy, had a verifiable identity, and had no medical or psychiatric conditions preventing participation. Exclusion criteria included incomplete responses, missing more than two intervention sessions, or concurrent participation in other psychological programs.
Measurement Instruments
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; Connor & Davidson, 2003): This 25-item instrument assesses resilience across five domains: personal competence, trust in instincts, positive acceptance of change, perceived control, and spiritual influences. In Iranian validation studies, it has demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.89).
Bell’s Social Adjustment Scale (1961): The 32-item measure evaluates adjustment across five areas (emotional, health-related, familial, occupational, and social) using a 3-point Likert scale. Iranian studies report internal consistency coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.89.
Intervention Protocol
The experimental group received eight 90-minute weekly sessions delivered over 2.5 months, following Beck’s (2011) cognitive-behavioral framework. The control group received no intervention during the study period.
Findins
Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. Normality of data distribution was confirmed through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and homogeneity of variance was verified using Levene’s test. The research hypotheses were examined using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results demonstrated that the intervention significantly enhanced resilience scores in the experimental group (pre-test M = 57.65, post-test M = 64.40), while the control group exhibited a slight decrease. Similarly, social adaptation scores showed significant improvement in the experimental group (pre-test M = 69.62, post-test M = 74.45), confirming the intervention’s effectiveness (p < 0.05). At the subscale level, the intervention had significant positive effects on personal competence, acceptance of change, and emotional and social adjustment. However, no significant effects were observed for trust in instincts or spiritual influences.
Discussion
The study demonstrates that group social work interventions employing an educational-counseling approach effectively enhance resilience and social adaptation among women at risk of divorce. These findings corroborate existing literature highlighting the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral techniques in resilience-building. The observed improvements in personal competence and acceptance of change indicate that participants acquired practical coping strategies to better manage stressors and enhance adaptive capacities. However, the non-significant effects on spiritual influences suggest future interventions might benefit from incorporating culturally sensitive components to address this dimension of resilience. While contributing valuable insights, this study has several limitations. The exclusive focus on women initiating divorce proceedings limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research should investigate longitudinal outcomes to assess the intervention’s sustained effects and examine its applicability across diverse demographic groups, including different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural contexts.
Ethical Considerations
This study adhered to ethical principles per the Iranian National Guidelines for Biomedical Research Ethics. Informed consent was obtained, confidentiality was ensured, and participants’ well-being was prioritized. Justice in participant selection, and special support for vulnerable groups were also ensured.
Authors’ Contributions
All authors equally contributed to the research and manuscript preparation.
Funding Statement
No external funding was received.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
refrence:
Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy. London: The Guilford Press.
Introduction
Divorce and family breakdown are significant social issues with widespread consequences. Divorce is legally defined as the dissolution of a marital relationship, and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. In Iran, divorce rates have risen alarmingly. According to the National Organization for Civil Registration, in the first four months of 2023, 199,724 marriages were recorded, while 65,354 divorces occurred, indicating that approximately one in every three marriages ends in divorce. Research suggests that women experience considerable distress post-divorce, facing loneliness, financial hardships, and societal stigmatization, negatively affecting their self-esteem and social relationships. Consequently, these challenges may lower their resilience and social adaptability.
Adaptation refers to an individual’s ability to cope with environmental and social changes while maintaining a balance between personal needs and societal expectations. Social adaptation includes successful social interactions, understanding others’ needs, and engaging in social activities. Research has shown that divorce can reduce social adaptation and increase feelings of inefficacy. On the other hand, resilience acts as a protective factor, allowing individuals to manage stress and regain psychological equilibrium. Studies indicate that social work interventions can enhance resilience and social adaptation.
Social group work intervention integrates social psychology and sociology to strengthen resilience and adaptability. This approach reduces dependency on others and enhances individuals’ ability to tackle challenges. Various studies have demonstrated that social group work interventions improve social behaviors and prevent social harm.
While previous research has explored these effects, the present study differs by employing an educational-counseling approach within social group work intervention and integrating Beck’s cognitive-behavioral protocol. The study aims to provide a structured intervention for enhancing the resilience and social adaptability of women at risk of divorce. Accordingly, the hypothesis posits that social group work intervention using an educational counseling approach positively affects resilience and social adaptability among women at risk of divorce.
Method
This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group framework. The research population comprised women seeking divorce at the Tolou Social Work Clinic in Mashhad in 2023. Using purposive sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups.
Inclusion criteria included women who had officially filed for divorce, provided informed consent, completed self-report measures, were aged 20-40 years, possessed basic literacy, had a verifiable identity, and had no medical or psychiatric conditions preventing participation. Exclusion criteria included incomplete responses, missing more than two intervention sessions, or concurrent participation in other psychological programs.
Measurement Instruments
Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; Connor & Davidson, 2003): This 25-item instrument assesses resilience across five domains: personal competence, trust in instincts, positive acceptance of change, perceived control, and spiritual influences. In Iranian validation studies, it has demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.89).
Bell’s Social Adjustment Scale (1961): The 32-item measure evaluates adjustment across five areas (emotional, health-related, familial, occupational, and social) using a 3-point Likert scale. Iranian studies report internal consistency coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.89.
Intervention Protocol
The experimental group received eight 90-minute weekly sessions delivered over 2.5 months, following Beck’s (2011) cognitive-behavioral framework. The control group received no intervention during the study period.
Findins
Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. Normality of data distribution was confirmed through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and homogeneity of variance was verified using Levene’s test. The research hypotheses were examined using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results demonstrated that the intervention significantly enhanced resilience scores in the experimental group (pre-test M = 57.65, post-test M = 64.40), while the control group exhibited a slight decrease. Similarly, social adaptation scores showed significant improvement in the experimental group (pre-test M = 69.62, post-test M = 74.45), confirming the intervention’s effectiveness (p < 0.05). At the subscale level, the intervention had significant positive effects on personal competence, acceptance of change, and emotional and social adjustment. However, no significant effects were observed for trust in instincts or spiritual influences.
Discussion
The study demonstrates that group social work interventions employing an educational-counseling approach effectively enhance resilience and social adaptation among women at risk of divorce. These findings corroborate existing literature highlighting the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral techniques in resilience-building. The observed improvements in personal competence and acceptance of change indicate that participants acquired practical coping strategies to better manage stressors and enhance adaptive capacities. However, the non-significant effects on spiritual influences suggest future interventions might benefit from incorporating culturally sensitive components to address this dimension of resilience. While contributing valuable insights, this study has several limitations. The exclusive focus on women initiating divorce proceedings limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research should investigate longitudinal outcomes to assess the intervention’s sustained effects and examine its applicability across diverse demographic groups, including different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural contexts.
Ethical Considerations
This study adhered to ethical principles per the Iranian National Guidelines for Biomedical Research Ethics. Informed consent was obtained, confidentiality was ensured, and participants’ well-being was prioritized. Justice in participant selection, and special support for vulnerable groups were also ensured.
Authors’ Contributions
All authors equally contributed to the research and manuscript preparation.
Funding Statement
No external funding was received.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
refrence:
Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy. London: The Guilford Press.
Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2024/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/04/21 | Published: 2025/07/6
Received: 2024/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/04/21 | Published: 2025/07/6
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