per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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28
article
Quality of Life of Head-of-Household Women: a Comparison between those Supported by Welfare Organization and those with Service Jobs
L. Tatina Boldaji
1
A.S. Foruzan
2
H. Rafiey
3
Objective: This study has compared the quality of life of head-of-household
women supported by Welfare Organization those who had service jobs in
Tehran, 1386 (2007).
Method: It was a cross-sectional study. One-hundred and twenty head-ofhousehold
women that were supported by Welfare Organization and their
counterparts with service jobs were randomly selected. To collect data, a
demographic checklist and WHO’s Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-
100) were used.
Findings: Having job was found to increase quality of life of head-of-household
women.
The physical health, psychological health, and social relationships had direct
influences on quality of life of head-of-household women, while the environment
hadn’t have any relation with quality of life.
Conclusion: Quality of life among head-of-household women is better when
they had a service job, rather than being supported by Welfare Organization.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-507-en.pdf
Keywords: head-of-household women
quality of life
service jobs
welfare organization.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
40
29
62
article
Economic, Cultural, and Educational Factors Related to Empowerment of Head-of-Household Women
A. Gholipour
1
A. Rahimian
2
Objectives: Nowadays, governments put citizens in their first priority in order to
protect their stability. Undoubtedly, citizen empowerment is one of the most
important duties of government. Empowerment of women as half of the
population with extra influence on culture and human development has been
concentrated. Scholars indicate empowerment of women have five stages:
welfare, access, consciousness, participation, and control. Head-of-household
women are important section of citizens. In order to empower citizens, paying
attention to them has great importance. It seems that head-of-household women
have too many problems that obstruct them to access a sustainable development.
They have characteristics that can be used to human development because they
use their income to improve family’s nutrition, welfare, and education. So,
increasing their income seems to have direct and positive impact on family’s
situation. In this article we have tried to identify factors that impact on
empowerment of head-of-household women, and prepare a guideline for whom
responsible for them.
Method: Current research is a survey. Training, skill learning, income-earning
plans, giving stock, giving loan and noncash aids were independent variables and
empowerment was dependent one. Random sampling was used and 240
questionnaires were completed by women in Tehran and Karaj that received help
from Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and Welfare Organization and also
Tehran municipality. To determine validity of scale we took advantages of
construct validity and factor analysis. The reliability index of Chronbach’s alpha
was 0.92 for head-of-household women empowerment and 0.89 for independent
factors. Spearman correlation and structural equations model was used for
statistical analysis.
Findings: There was a correlation between independent variables and
empowerment and also among independent variables, meaning that strengthening one of them will improve the others. Training and income-earning plans had the
most impact on empowerment of head-of-household women. Causality model
indicates that training and income-earning plans had positive impacts for our
participants.
Conclusion: Because of having several roles, head-of-household women don’t
have time for education and usually are less educated than other women. So,
training has positive effect on their family. As head-of-household women most
big problem usually is economic, so any solution to reduce this problem will be
very helpful. Contrary to scholars’ expectations, other hypotheses were rejected.
We think the loan’s amount was insufficient and it takes too much time to
receive it. Furthermore, a bailsman was needed for receiving loan. Accessing to
resource is a key factor of empowering head-of-household women, so noncash
aids seemed to be effective. But it was rejected too. Talking with head-ofhousehold
women showed that the women’ honor was not considered when
giving them noncash aids. Also the notification of giving these aids was not
suitable and because of that, a hostile climate was raised there.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-508-en.pdf
head-of-household women
empowerment
public education
skill learning
income-earning plan
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
40
63
92
article
Methods Used for Empowering Head-of-Household Women
S. A. Kimiaee
1
Objective: Empowerment is an effective method used by most countries of the
world to achieve sustainable development (Parsons, 2003). It’s emphasized in
Forth Development Program of Iran, especially for poor people, including headof-
household women. This study aims investigating the methods used in
empowerment programs of social support agencies.
Method: The method of this investigation is descriptive. The research
population includes all head-of-household women participated in the
empowerment programs of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and Welfare
Organization between years 1384 (2006) and 1386 (2008), all of them were 50
and 44 families, respectively, in the end of 1386.
Findings: The study showed that empowerment programs for head-of-household
women’s led to employment and enhancing their income level. Also, occupation
training can result in independence from support agencies. Moreover,
psychological empowerment plan led improvements in a variety of psychological
dimensions, i.e. self-efficacy, self-worth, self-esteem, life control, decisionmaking
power, and problem-solving, all of them resulting to more adjustment.
Conclusion: Empowerment programs for head-of-household women can lead to
employment, enhancement of income level, dependency reduction, and
psychological empowerment.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-509-en.pdf
empowerment
head-of-household women
support agencies.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
40
93
105
article
Trends of Female Employment in Iran: A Study Using Shift-Share Analysis
N. Mehregan
1
M. Musai
2
R. Rezaei
3
Employment, especially female employment, has become an important,
influencing issue in decisions and plans in the country in recent decades. This
article reviews changes in female employment in Iran. For this purpose, the
indicator of female participation in labor force in World Development Indicators
series, which is provided by the World Bank, is used. Shift-share analysis
method was applied to analyze data over two periods 1985-1995 and 1995-2005.
Results indicate that over time the structure of female employment has been
fundamentally changed. So that, within two decades the share of women in the
labor force has increased from 19.3 percent in 1985 to 33.8 percent in 2005.
Also, during the periods the female employment growth rate had been more than
the country's share of the growth for Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
region. The disproportionate growth seems to be due to competition and the
structure positive growing, i.e. during the period the growth and mobility of
women in economic activities in Iran was positive and also more than MENA
region.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-510-en.pdf
employment
shift-share analysis
Iran
middle East and north Africa
women.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
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107
127
article
Relationship between job classification and mental health in employed women
M. Hadadi
1
A. Kaldi
2
H. Sajadi
3
M. Salehi
4
Objective: In Iranian society, women as half of the population play an important
role in employment and social development. Hence, addressing the issue of
women’s working and its relationship with their health status is inevitable. On
the other hand, evidence suggests that in addition to medical interventions, health
depends on socioeconomic conditions like job classifications.
Method: It’s a cross-sectional study on 160 women working in welfare centers
in Tehran. Participants were recruited using a multistage cluster method. To
measure the variables, checklist of personal data with demographic variables and
General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) were used.
Findings: Between mental health and job classification, there was a significant
correlation (p<0.005). Comparing job classifications on a one-to-one basis
showed a significant difference in mental health between manager and expert
women, so that, managers had less mental health than experts.
Conclusion: Managers and policy makers of organizations, as well as health
planners, should pay more attention to job which seems to be a social
determinant of women’s mental health.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-511-en.pdf
job classification
mental health
Welfare Organization
Women.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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129
159
article
Family Factors Related to Being a Runaway Child in Khorramabad
P. Nejadsabzi
1
Introduction: Family as a social institution with important roles in educating
people can promote or deteriorate social health and stability. Social deviances are
signs of dysfunctions in society structure. Regarding the increasing growth of
home escape, detecting family factors related to this phenomenon is the aim of
this research.
Method: Population of this survey includes runaway children under 18, male or
female, living in centers affiliated to Welfare Organization, correction centers,
and Khorramabad central prison. Control group comprised of other children
under 18 who lived in Khorramabad. The size of both samples were 48.
Findings: Based on multiple regression analysis, there was a statistically
significant relationship between being runaway children and living in broken
homes, domestic violence, parents’ lack of supervision on the children, family
conflict, parents’ criminal history, and parents’ addiction. Children’s gender had
not any relationship.
Conclusion: Domestic violence had the strongest relationship with being
runaway children.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-512-en.pdf
broken home
domestic violence
family conflict
parents’ addiction parents’ supervision on the children
runaway child.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
40
161
187
article
Consequences of Girls’ Running-Away
S. Z. Hashemi
1
Z. Fatemi Amin
2
M. Fouladiyan
3
Objective: Leaving home and family by teenagers and young people without
their parents’ and legal guardians’ permission is a kind of reaction to a situation
which is unpleasant, unbearable, and unchangeable for them. This is a defense
mechanism to decrease life difficulties and get rid of harmful situations and
achieve demands and dreams, but evidences indicate that running away not only
doesn’t decrease girls’ problems but also enters them to a damaging social cycle
which leads to many negative subsequences for them and their families.
Method: This article is on the basis of a field study findings and analyzes
subsequences of girls’ running away from home by using 3 methods together:
survey, case study, and focus group research.
Findings: After running away, girls encounter with some consequences such as
school leaving, relationship with opposite sex, sexual abuse, prostitution,
membership in gangs, depression, self-mutilation and suicide, drug or alcohol
abuse, and being rejected by family they all entangle them in many emotional
and social damages.
Conclusion: The present study provides the results in 3 levels of individual,
family, and social consequences, because girls mostly run away from home with
no program for future and insufficient awareness of consequences. These lead to
numerous inevitable problems and damages for them.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-513-en.pdf
family consequences
individual consequences
running-away girls
social consequences.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
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189
215
article
Efficacy of Group Counseling on Self-Esteem of High School Female Students
S. Amirjan
1
M. Soitani Aliadad
2
S. J. Younesi
3
M. Azkhosh
4
A. Asgari
5
Objective:The aim of this study was investigating efficacy of group counseling
based on sources of self-knowledge on increasing self-esteem of high school girl
students.
Method: This study was an experimental one using a pre-test post-test design
with control group. Participants consisted of 24 high school girl students who
were selected using a multistage sampling method on the basis of the scores
achieved from the Pop self-esteem test (PSI). Then, participants were randomly
assigned to experimental and control groups. Participants in the experimental
group were given 14 sessions of group counseling while the control group
received no intervention. Both groups were tested again after 10 days of the last
session. Results of self esteem test were analyzed through comparing and
analysis of covariance.
Findings: Group counseling based on sources of self-knowledge had increased
girl students self-esteem (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The students in experimental group had shown a considerable
increase in their self-esteem, suggesting the efficacy of this intervention.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-514-en.pdf
group counseling
self-esteem
sources of self-knowledge.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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217
235
article
Efficacy of cognitive behavioral group training of life skills on mental health of women with handicapped spouses
S. Faramarzi
1
R. Homaie
2
R. Izadi
3
The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral
group training of life skills on mental health of women with handicapped
spouses in Isfahan. The study was experimental with pretest-posttest design with
control group. Participants included 80 women with handicapped spouses in
Isfahan who were supported by Welfare Organization. These women selected
with random sampling and randomly assigned in groups. Measurement
instrument was GHQ-28. The results suggested significant differences (F=84.19,
p=.001) between the groups, indicating that cognitive behavioral group training
of life skills had significant effects on mental health of women with handicapped
spouses.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-515-en.pdf
cognitive behavioral group training
handicapped
life Skills
mental health.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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237
257
article
A review of studies about efficacy of public health interventions for prevention of domestic violence against women
Y. Soleiman Ekhtiari
1
B. Ahmadi
2
Objective: We reviewed the public health interventions for preventing domestic
violence in women and assessed efficacy of these interventions.
Methods: We searched articles in PubMed, Scopus databases, and related
systematic reviews in Cochrane database by the means of related key words:
domestic violence, intimate partner violence, partner abuse, spouse abuse,
battered women, and sexual abuse. Also, references list and papers of experts
were searched. By reviewing, analyzing, and classifying the related
interventions, we assessed their efficacy.
Findings: The results were analyzed from 15 articles and 2 systematic reviews
in which the impact of public health intervention for prevention or decreasing
domestic violence in women had been studied. There are two types of
interventions to help women experiencing or have experienced domestic
violence: system-centered intervention (such as empowering staff to identify and
manage the domestic violence cases), and women-centered intervention (such as
education and psychological and therapeutic counseling for women). Findings
showed that these interventions are effective for prevention or decreasing
domestic violence cases. Conclusion: This study showed that educating and empowering public health
staff increased the rates of identifying and managing domestic violence cases.
We also found that education about predisposing factors of domestic violence
and communicational and adaptive skills to women led to decreasing in domestic
violence cases.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-516-en.pdf
domestic violence
women
health education
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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286
article
Promotion Plans of Women Entrepreneurship in Selected Countries
N. Sheikhan
1
Objective: In the past decades, by focusing on the positive and effective role of
economic entrepreneurship in the development of society, developed countries
and, in more recent decades, a few developing countries have considered
deriving benefits from this potential in combating economic difficulties such as
recession, inflation, and unemployment. Entrepreneurship can serve as a wellknown
approach for decreasing the unemployment level of youngsters and
especially women, thus it is a starting point for planning to promote women’s
entrepreneurship in the present situation of Iran.
Method: Data have been collected from reputable internal and external sources
and internet. Dollar of America is used for comparing financial data.
Findings: Programs to promote women’s entrepreneurship have been studied in
six developed and two developing countries.
Conclusion: A model for promoting Iranian women’s entrepreneurship has been
presented.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-517-en.pdf
entrepreneurship
promotion
women.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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287
314
article
Critical approach to criminal protection of victim women of rape in Iran law
M. Farajiha
1
H. Azari
2
The crisis of sexual offences particularly rape against women has been debatable
for police, judicial, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations. Rape in
both developed and developing countries especially in Iran includes a noticeable
number of unreported violence. Based on public opinion women themselves are
the main causes of this crime. Even in most cases victims are punished. Despite
the large amount of the victimization, not adequate arrangements have been
adopted by policy makers, to support these victims. Moreover, a humiliating and
hesitantly treatment to these victims and not paying attention to their statements
in criminal justice system caused them to be at the risk of secondary
victimization.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-519-en.pdf
criminal protection
rape
sexual offences
women’s victimization.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
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315
339
article
Inequality trend of selected items of consumption household basket in Tehran: 1989-2006
Gh. Ghaedamini
1
M. Sharifian Sani
2
H. Raghfar
3
M. Salehi
4
Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine expenditure
distribution and inequality changes in Tehran. It separately explored
expenditures distribution for health, education, and food in rural and urban areas
from 1989 till 2006.
Method: Using Household Expenditure Survey conducted by Statistical Center
of Iran, expenditure distribution and inequality changes for urban and rural areas
in Tehran and whole of the country within the time span of 1989 to 2006 were
calculated. Gini Coefficient and Theil's Index were calculated and the results
were compared.
Findings: Inequality in health and education expenditures are too severe
(Gini=0.6-0.8) but, food and gross distribution expenditure are more equal
(Gini=0.3-0.4). There was a significant difference between urban and rural areas
in Tehran for gross expenditures. Heath expenditures distribution in urban of
country was more equitable than Tehran, but in rural areas, there was an adverse
condition. Regarding education expenditures, there was only a significant
difference between rural areas in Tehran and whole of the country that means
distribution expenditure in whole of the country in more equitable.
Conclusion: With respect to the calculated indices, there are severe inequality in
health and education expenditures both in Tehran and whole of the country, but a
nearly equitable distribution about food and gross expenditures. These results show that food expenditures have a significant relationship with gross
expenditures and therefore, food expenditure shows the real consumption of the
households. For these, policymakers have to pay more attention to health and
education expenditures in targeting subsidies.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-520-en.pdf
consumption expenditures
education
food expenditures
Gini coefficient
health
inequality
Theil index.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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341
365
article
Relationship between Income Inequality and Expenditure Inequality
M. H. Fotros
1
R. Maaboudi
2
Objective: Income inequality affects consumption structure via changes in the
composition of expenditure basket. Shocks, fluctuations, disparities, and
dispersions of income inequality, is expected to be transmitted to consumption
expenditures. These shocks might induce inequalities in consumption
expenditures. This paper tries to measure the amount of such consumption
expenditures inequalities that are derived from income inequality.
Method: To measure the consumption expenditures inequality and income
inequality, the variance of logs is employed. For this purpose, Iranian urban
households’ data of the period of 1982 to 2007 is used. To analyze relations
between variables, panel data methodology is applied.
Findings: All fluctuations of income distribution do not translate in consumption
expenditure distribution.
Conclusion: The distribution of households’ consumption expenditure in
comparison to the distribution of income is less subjected to fluctuations and
variations.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-521-en.pdf
consumption expenditure inequality
household budget
income inequality
Iran.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
1735-8191
2011-04
11
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367
400
article
Factors Related to Urban Poverty during 1363-1385 (1984-2006)
M. Nourmohammadi
1
H. Hazery
2
Objective: How indicators of poverty have reacted to the economic variables in
urban areas? The intensity of each of these economic variables on urban poverty
is to what extent? The main purpose of this study is assessing "the effect of
macroeconomic variables on urban poverty".
Method: The study is based on macroeconomic data over the years 1984 to 2006
and developed an econometric model identifying the effect of economic
variables on poverty in urban areas. First the relationship between economic
variables and poverty as general was expressed, and then, for the analysis of the
role of economic variables on urban poverty, an econometric model is created.
Findings: The increase in GDP per capita, construction and current costs of
state, and direct and indirect taxation cause to decrease urban poverty, while the
increase in unemployment rate cause to increase urban poverty.
Conclusion: Unemployment rate causes to increase both poverty indexes in
urban areas, although its effect on head count index is more. The unemployment
is considered as the main factor of poverty in urban areas. The effect of
unemployment rate on the percentage of the poor is higher than the poverty gap.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-522-en.pdf
factors of urban poverty
poverty gap index
the head count index
urban poverty.
per
دانشگاه علوم بهزیستی و توانبخشی
Social Welfare Quarterly
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2011-04
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401
423
article
Relationship between Unemployment and Robbery in Iran
S. Garshasebi Fakhr
1
Objective: Economics of crime is an interdisciplinary topic that is intended to
analyze crimes economically. Regarding the increase in crimes rates in our
country, a comprehensive study of the causes of crime, especially economic
crimes such as robbery is necessary, because it is directly related to the economy
and accurate understanding of causal relationship between the two will help
policymakers in planning for a better society.
Method: Based on available statistics and estimates based on regression models
using OLS, the relationship between unemployment and theft is explained.
Findings: There was a positive relationship between robbery and
unemployment. In addition, there was a direct relationship between robbery
index and the proportion of people in urban areas and divorce rate, but a negative
relationship for households’ monthly income.
Conclusion: Unemployment, in addition to its direct costs such as
unemployment insurance costs, and costs associated with reduced labor skills
and expertise, imposes another cost which is because of an increase in property
crimes particularly robbery.
http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-523-en.pdf
divorce
income
property crime
robbery
unemployment.