مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026Factors Reducing the Tendency toward Marriage and Childbearing among Youth: Perspectives of Experts in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Provinceعوامل کاهش تمایل به ازدواج و فرزندآوری در جوانان از دیدگاه صاحب‌نظران در ‌استان چهارمحال و بختیاری126faمهردادحاجی حسنیدانشیار گروه مشاوره و روان‌شناسی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه شهرکرد، ایران0000000295859357منیژهکاوهاستادیار گروه مشاوره و روان‌شناسی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه شهرکرد، ایرانناهیدبنده خداکارشناسی ارشد مشاوره خانواده، دانشگاه اصفهان، ایران 2025731Factors Reducing the Tendency toward Marriage and Childbearing among Youth: Perspectives of Experts in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province   Mehrdad Hajihasani<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a> Manijheh Kaveh<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a> Nahid Bandehkhoda<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">***</a>   This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the declining tendency toward marriage and childbearing among youth in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, a pressing social and demographic concern in Iran in recent years. Employing a qualitative approach and the Delphi method, the study involved ten experts from relevant fields who participated in three consecutive rounds to achieve a theoretical consensus on influential factors through deliberation. Data was analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion, including mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that economic challenges, the influence of Western lifestyles, declining religious beliefs, lack of suitable employment opportunities, and urbanization were the primary reasons for reduced interest in marriage among youth. Additionally, women’s increasing pursuit of higher education and economic independence, family-related challenges, and parental concerns about their children’s future employment were identified as significant barriers to childbearing. These factors collectively reflect the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural variables shaping modern marriage and fertility patterns in Iranian society. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions in economic and social domains, strengthening family-oriented support, and revitalizing cultural values that promote early marriage and childbearing. It is recommended that policymakers prioritize creating sustainable employment opportunities and providing financial support to young couples to address these trends.   Keywords: Marriage, Childbearing, Delphi Method, Fertility Trends, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.   Introduction Marriage and childbearing, as foundational social institutions, play a critical role in family cohesion, individual psychological and social well-being, and generational continuity. However, recent decades have witnessed shifts in marriage patterns globally, characterized by declining marriage rates, rising age at marriage, and increasing prevalence of singlehood or cohabitation, with significant implications for family and societal stability. In Iran, particularly among youth, delayed marriage and reluctance to marry have emerged as major social and cultural concerns. Examining barriers to marriage is essential for developing supportive policies and intervention programs. Numerous studies have identified economic obstacles, employment challenges, changing values, fear of commitment, concerns about divorce, and family difficulties as key reasons for reduced tendencies toward marriage and childbearing (Amato, 2000; Cherlin, 2004). Additionally, cultural transformations and growing individualism have diminished the perception of marriage as a social necessity, rendering it a personal and conditional decision (Lesthaeghe & Van de Kaa, 1986). In Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, with its unique cultural and economic context, these barriers are expected to be multifaceted. Despite the issue’s significance, prior research, particularly comprehensive qualitative studies, is limited, with most studies relying on survey methods or focusing on specific barriers. This study employs a qualitative approach and the Delphi method to identify and prioritize factors deterring marriage and childbearing from the perspectives of experts in family studies, psychology, counseling, sociology, and related fields.   Methodology This study utilized a qualitative approach with the Delphi method, a validated technique for gathering and analyzing expert opinions on topics lacking prior scientific consensus. The research population comprised experts in marriage and family issues in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, with a sample of ten experts selected based on Delphi guidelines recommending 5–20 participants. Data collection was structured in three sequential rounds to gather expert opinions and achieve consensus. In the first round, in-depth individual interviews were conducted to clarify the research problem, identify diverse perspectives, and document relevant variables. In the second round, a comprehensive questionnaire, developed from interview findings and existing literature, was used to assess the importance, relevance, and clarity of each variable, achieving moderate consensus requiring further refinement. In the third round, a revised questionnaire and follow-up discussions resolved discrepancies, yielding a strong consensus and final variable set. Data from the first round were analyzed using content analysis, while the second and third rounds employed quantitative analysis with mean and standard deviation. Kendall’s V coefficient was used to measure the level of consensus.   Findings In the first Delphi round, experts identified twelve factors affecting marriage and childbearing, which were consolidated into seven key factors: economic problems, male unemployment, women’s pursuit of higher education, declining religious beliefs among youth, family factors (e.g., parental divorce, marital conflicts), inclination toward Western lifestyles, and women’s increasing economic power. Economic, social, and cultural factors were found to have the greatest impact, while distrust of the opposite sex and fear of infidelity were less significant. In the second round, experts evaluated factor impacts using a Likert-scale questionnaire. For marriage, male unemployment, women’s pursuit of higher education, economic difficulties, declining religious beliefs, and family factors were the most significant barriers, while fear of infidelity and distrust had minimal impact. For childbearing, declining religious beliefs, economic problems, and concerns about children’s future employment were prominent, while access to contraception, lack of psychological maturity, and marital conflicts had lesser effects. Kendall’s V coefficient indicated moderate consensus. In the third round, refined through revisions and discussions, the primary factors reducing marriage included economic problems, male unemployment, family factors, declining religious beliefs, women’s employment, and their increasing economic power, with urbanization and Western lifestyles also significant. For childbearing, urbanization, women’s employment, and concerns about children’s future employment were most influential, followed by unemployment, economic difficulties, and declining religious beliefs. The combination of economic, family, socio-cultural, and shifting gender roles had the greatest impact, with expert consensus reaching its peak.   Discussion and Conclusion The final Delphi round revealed strong expert consensus on the critical role of economic factors and employment in reducing youth marriage and childbearing. For marriage, economic problems and male unemployment were the primary barriers, followed by family factors, declining religious beliefs, changing women’s roles, and socio-cultural shifts like urbanization and Western lifestyles. For childbearing, urbanization and women’s employment were the leading deterrents, followed by concerns about children’s future employment, male unemployment, and economic problems, with declining religious beliefs, women’s education, and Western lifestyles having a lesser impact. Literature analysis confirms that economic factors directly influence marriage and childbearing decisions, as individuals prioritize financial stability before long-term commitments (Oppenheimer, 1988). Adverse economic conditions increase stress and uncertainty, delaying these decisions (Ogawa, 2003). Women’s employment and pursuit of higher education also shift marriage and fertility patterns, with career-oriented women preferring later marriages with partners of similar status (Schwartz & Han, 2014). Cultural and religious shifts, including Western lifestyles and individualistic values, further reduce marriage and fertility rates by redefining family roles (Torabi & Farash Khiyalu, 2020; Gupta, 2023). Parental conflict and divorce also foster hesitancy toward marriage among youth (D’Onofrio et al., 2007). Urbanization and concerns about children’s future employment exacerbate these trends, with urban lifestyles and access to contraception promoting smaller families and delayed childbearing (Kaveh & Hajihasani, 2024). Recommended strategies include economic and employment support policies, educational and counseling programs, and cultural interventions to encourage marriage and childbearing.   References Amato, P. R. (2000) The consequences of divorce for adults and children. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 1269–1287. Cherlin, A. J. (2004) The deinstitutionalization of American marriage. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66, 848–861. D’Onofrio, B. M., Turkheimer, E., Emery, R. E., Harden, K. P., Slutske, W. S., Heath, A. C., ... & Martin, N. G. (2007) A genetically informed study of the intergenerational transmission of marital instability. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(3), 793–809. Gupta, G. R. (2023) Marriage, Religion and Society: Pattern of Change in an Indian Village. Taylor & Francis. Kaveh, M., & Hajihasani, M. (2024) An investigation of the causes of declining marriage and fertility rates in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (Research report). General Directorate of Sport and Youth, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. [in Persian] Lesthaeghe, R., & van de Kaa, D. J. (1986) Twee demografische transities? In R. Lesthaeghe & J. Van de Kaa (Eds.), Groei of Krimp, book volume of Mens en Maatschappij (pp. 9–24). Deventer: Van Loghum-Slaterus. Ogawa, N. (2003) Japan’s changing fertility mechanisms and its policy responses. Journal of Population Research, 20(1), 89–106. Oppenheimer, V. K. (1988) A theory of marriage timing. American Journal of Sociology, 94(3), 563–591. Schwartz, C. R., & Han, H. (2014) The reversal of the gender gap in education and trends in marital dissolution. American Sociological Review, 79(4), 605–629. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122414539682">https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122414539682</a>.         <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Counseling and Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahrekord University, Iran. Dr_hajihasani@sku.ac.ir <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">**</a> Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling and Psychology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahrekord University, Iran. manizhehkaveh@gmail.com <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">***</a> M.A in Family Counseling, University of Isfahan, Iran. moshaver123456@gmail.comهدف این پژوهش، شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر کاهش تمایل به ازدواج و فرزندآوری در میان جوانان استان چهارمحال و بختیاری است؛ مسئله&zwnj;ای که در سال&zwnj;های اخیر به یکی از نگرانی&zwnj;های مهم اجتماعی و جمعیتی کشور تبدیل شده است. این مطالعه با رویکرد کیفی و به&zwnj;کارگیری روش دلفی انجام شد. در این فرایند، ده نفر از خبرگان حوزه&zwnj;های مرتبط در سه مرحله متوالی شرکت کردند تا از طریق هم&zwnj;اندیشی و تبادل نظر، به اجماع نظری درباره عوامل مؤثر دست یابند. یافته&zwnj;ها نشان داد که مشکلات اقتصادی، گسترش سبک زندگی غربی، کاهش باورهای دینی، نبود فرصت&zwnj;های شغلی مناسب و رشد شهرنشینی از مهم&zwnj;ترین دلایل کاهش رغبت به ازدواج در میان جوانان است. همچنین افزایش گرایش زنان به تحصیلات عالی و استقلال اقتصادی، چالش&zwnj;های خانوادگی و نگرانی والدین درباره آینده شغلی فرزندان نیز از عوامل بازدارنده فرزندآوری شناخته شد. مجموعه این عوامل، بازتابی از تعامل پیچیده متغیرهای اقتصادی، اجتماعی و فرهنگی در شکل&zwnj;گیری الگوهای نوین ازدواج و باروری در جامعه امروز ایران است. نتایج این مطالعه بر لزوم طراحی مداخلات هدفمند در حوزه&zwnj;های اقتصادی و اجتماعی، تقویت حمایت&zwnj;های خانواده&zwnj;محور و احیای ارزش&zwnj;های فرهنگیِ مشوق ازدواج زودهنگام و فرزندآوری تأکید دارد. پیشنهاد می&zwnj;شود سیاست&zwnj;گذاران با تمرکز بر ایجاد اشتغال پایدار و حمایت مالی از زوج&zwnj;های جوان، روند کنونی را اصلاح کنند.

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مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026From Imagination to Lived Experience: Analyzing the Contexts of Changing Meanings of Motherhood among Mothers of Only Child in Lahijanاز خیال تا زیست: تحلیل بسترهای تغییر معنای مادری در مادران تک‌فرزند لاهیجان2755fa یاسمن رمضانی سادات محلهدانشجوی دکتری گروه جامعه‌شناسی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران محمودمشفقدانشیار گروه جمعیت‌شناسی، دانشکده علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی، تهران، ایرانمهشیدطالبی صومعه سراییاستادیار گروه علوم اجتماعی و جامعه¬شناسی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران202567From Imagination to Lived Experience: Analyzing the Contexts of Changing Meanings of Motherhood among Mothers of Only Child in Lahijan   Yasaman Ramezani Sadat Mahalla<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a> Mahmoud Moshfegh<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a> Mahshid Talebi Soumeh Sarai<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">***</a> The meaning of motherhood in the contemporary world is a dynamic, heterogeneous, and sometimes contradictory experience, leading many young women to reconsider its concept. This study aimed to analyze the contexts of changing meanings of motherhood among 24 mothers of only child aged 20 to 35 years in Lahijan city, employing a qualitative approach and grounded theory methodology. Participants were selected through theoretical and snowball sampling, with semi-structured interviews as the data collection technique. The core phenomenon identified was “The Infinity of Motherhood: A Multifaceted, Irreversible, and Fluid Experience between Suffering and Joy.” Causal conditions included women’s sense of completeness, excessive mother-child dependency, motherhood as full responsibility for the child, and creating distance from the spouse. The findings reveal that the meaning of motherhood is a complex blend of emotions, roles, and expectations, shaped by social interactions and characterized by fluidity. Governmental institutions must prioritize improving the quality of maternal experiences, as failure to do so will encounter meaningful resistance from mothers in implementing population policies.   Keywords: Changing meanings of motherhood, lived motherhood, gender roles, mothers of only child, Lahijan. Introduction The experience of motherhood, particularly in the context of single-child parenting and redefining maternal roles, has undergone significant changes, profoundly impacting women’s identity and national population policies (Danaeefard et al., 2022: 317). In recent years, Iran has faced a declining trend in fertility and population growth, with the World Bank reporting a 1.05% rate in 2024, down from over 2% in previous decades. Research shows that many women, prior to motherhood, harbor an idealized, romanticized view of it as a transcendent, natural, and identity-completing experience (Rich, 1976: 22), reinforced by media, family, and cultural beliefs (Hays, 1996: 54). For example, Gillespie (2003: 122) demonstrates that women often recognize a gap between pre-maternal ideals and motherhood’s realities, reducing their desire for more children. Lived experience frequently diverges from this idealized image. Lahijan County (Shahrestan) ranks fourth in Gilan Province for economic and welfare indicators (Civil Registry of Gilan, 2024), yet its total fertility rate in 2024 was 0.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1 and indicating ongoing decline (Civil Registry of Gilan, 2024). Given referenced studies, motherhood experiences may significantly differ from initial expectations, with the dissonance between imagination and reality potentially diminishing women’s willingness for additional children. Thus, Lahijan’s declining birth rate may arise not only from economic factors but also from women’s realistic understanding of motherhood. Persistent low fertility poses major demographic risks. Studying motherhood’s meaning among single-child mothers reveals how social, economic, cultural, and familial conditions shape perceptions and experiences, aiding policymakers and counselors in providing better support and understanding motherhood’s challenges and opportunities. The central questions are: What factors and conditions transform mothers’ mental constructs of motherhood after their first child’s birth? What meanings do they attribute to motherhood thereafter? What implications does this new meaning have for mothers?   Methodology This study employed a qualitative design using Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory approach, with semi-structured interviews for data collection among mothers with one child. Theoretical sampling was used for participant selection, supplemented by snowball sampling due to initial access difficulties; sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, with eligibility criteria including age 20–35 years, having one young child, Living with spouse in first marriage, and no intention for a second child at interview time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 mothers of only children aged 20–35 in Lahijan County (Shahrestan), reaching saturation after 21 interviews, with three additional ones for validation. Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s three-stage coding process.   Findings The core phenomenon was “The Infinity of Motherhood: A Multifaceted, Irreversible, and Fluid Experience between Suffering and Joy.” Contextual conditions included feelings of injustice and hidden dissatisfaction, financial frugality as a mother, social and cultural pressures, and unique pleasure of motherhood. Causal conditions encompassed women’s sense of completeness, excessive mother-child dependency, motherhood as full child responsibility, and spousal distance. Intervening conditions involved spousal/relative support or lack thereof, mismatch between imagined motherhood expectations and exhausting realities, and post-childbirth physical/psychological state. Strategies included involving others and emphasizing counseling, child prioritization, and occupational/educational adjustments. Outcomes ranged from empowerment and personal identity development, constant child devotion, motherhood satisfaction, failure feelings, family completion, to pregnancy/postpartum depression.   Discussion and Conclusion The core category “The Infinity of Motherhood” captures participant mothers’ shared view of motherhood as a multifaceted, ongoing, transformative experience without fixed start or end, continuously reshaping women’s lives. This emerges from interacting causal, intervening, and contextual conditions with varying influences. Causal factors directly shaping motherhood’s meaning partly stem from women’s personal beliefs/experiences and partly from social support by spouses, relatives, society, and the child. Aligned with this study, Hays’s (1996) “intensive mothering” highlights motherhood’s entwinement with dualities like love/fatigue, sacrifice/self-abnegation, and satisfaction/confusion. Overall, motherhood is no longer a one-dimensional, fixed, taken-for-granted experience but a fluid, redefinable phenomenon amid tensions between traditional meanings and modern lifestyles. Findings show mothers experience motherhood as both joy and suffering source—an irreversible “infinity” suspending them between sacrifice/depletion, meaning/crisis, pleasure/frustration.   References Civil Registry of Gilan. (2024) [Statistical report of Gilan province]. Rasht: Civil Registry of Gilan. [In Persian]. Danaeefard, H., et al. (2022) Population policy change in Iran: Application of the advocacy coalition framework. Population Studies, 8(1), 317–347. [In Persian] Gillespie, R. (2003) Childfree and feminine: Understanding the gender identity of voluntarily childless women. Gender & Society, 17(1), 122–136. Hays, S. (1996) The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood. Yale University Press. Rich, A. (1976) Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution.W.W.Norton.         <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> PhD Student, Department of Social Sciences and Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Yasaman.ramezani2108@iau.ir <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">**</a> Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Demography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran. moshfegh@atu.ac.ir <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">***</a> Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences and Sociology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. mahshid.talebi@srbiau.ac.irمعنای مادری در جهان امروز، تجربه&zwnj;ای پویا، ناهمگون و گاه متناقض است و به همین دلیل، بسیاری از زنان جوان به بازاندیشی در مفهوم مادری پرداخته&zwnj;اند. هدف این پژوهش، تحلیل بسترهای تغییر معنای مادری در میان مادران تک&zwnj;فرزند 20 تا 35 ساله است. این مطالعه با رویکرد کیفی و بهره&zwnj;گیری از روش نظریۀ داده&zwnj;بنیاد در نمونه&zwnj;ای 24 نفره از مادران تک&zwnj;فرزند 20 تا 35 ساله شهر لاهیجان انجام شد. این مادران با روش نمونه&zwnj;گیری نظری و گلوله برفی انتخاب شدند و تکنیک جمع&zwnj;آوری اطلاعات، مصاحبه نیمه&zwnj;ساختاریافته بود. پدیدۀ محوری این پژوهش، «بی&zwnj;کرانگی مادری: تجربه&zwnj;ای چندوجهی، برگشت&zwnj;ناپذیر و سیال میان رنج&zwnj;ها و لذت&zwnj;ها» شناسایی شد. شرایط علّی شامل احساس کامل&zwnj;بودگی زنان، وابستگی افراطی مادر- کودک، مادری به&zwnj;مثابۀ مسئول تمام&zwnj;عیار فرزند و ایجاد فاصله از همسر است. یافته&zwnj;ها نشان می&zwnj;دهد که معنای مادری، ترکیبی پیچیده از احساسات، نقش&zwnj;ها و انتظارات است؛ تجربه&zwnj;ای که در بستر تعاملات اجتماعی شکل می&zwnj;گیرد و سیال است. نهادهای دولتی باید به بهبود کیفیت تجربه مادری، توجه لازم داشته باشند، زیرا در غیر این صورت اجرای هرگونه سیاست&zwnj;های جمعیتی در نهایت با مقاومت&zwnj;های معنادار مادران مواجه خواهد شد.

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مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026Challenges of Single-Mother Families in Ramsarچالش‌های خانواده‌های تک‌والد مادر در رامسر5785faطیبهبخشی پور بلترکیدانش‌آموخته کارشناسی ارشد، گروه علوم تربیتی، دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایرانامیرقربان پور لفمجانیدانشیار دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه گیلان، رشت، ایران202566Challenges of Single-Mother Families in Ramsar<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>   Tayyebeh Bakhshipoor Beltorki <a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">*</a> Amir Qorbanpoor Lafmejani<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">**</a>   This qualitative study, employing inductive content analysis, investigated the challenges faced by single-mother families under the Ramsar County Welfare Department in 2025, conducting semi-structured interviews with 17 single mothers until data saturation was achieved after the 14th interview, with three additional interviews for validation. Six main themes emerged: economic and occupational challenges, psychological challenges, physical and sexual challenges, social challenges, familial challenges, and child-related challenges. Economic difficulties included job scarcity and insufficient income, psychological issues encompassed stress, anxiety, and depression, exacerbated by traditional gender roles in Iranian society, while physical and sexual challenges were intensified by work demands and spousal absence. Social challenges involved stigma and housing issues, familial challenges included lack of family support or blame and disputes with the ex-spouse’s family, and child-related challenges comprised behavioral, psychological, and academic issues. Aligned with domestic (Seydalipour, 2019) and international (Khan et al., 2022) research, the study recommends comprehensive governmental measures: flexible job opportunities, vocational training, free counseling, strengthened social support networks, public awareness programs, and legal reforms to ensure rights and social justice for single mothers and their children.   Keywords: Challenge, Family, Single-Parent Families, Single-Mother Families, Qualitative Study. Introduction The family, a crucial social institution, typically comprises a father, mother, and children, but some families are single-parent (Zare-Bahramabadi et al., 2014: 14). This structural change disrupts life’s order, serving as a source of stress and tension (Qorbanpoor Lafmejani, 2024: 146) and requiring significant adjustments (Yusuf et al., 2020: 1985). Statistics indicate a global rise in single-parent families in recent decades (Daliana & Antoniou, 2018: 77); for instance, in 2023, over 10 million single-parent families existed in the United States, with approximately 80% led by women (U.S. Statistics Center, 2023: 1). In Iran, the 2016 census reported that 7.2% of families were single-parent, 83% of which were headed by mothers (Statistical Center of Iran, 2016: 156). These families face diverse challenges, including economic, emotional, and educational difficulties, depression, and low self-esteem (Noronha & Monteiro, 2016: 57). Given that over 80% of single-parent families are led by mothers, this qualitative study, using content analysis, deeply explores the challenges faced by single mothers to achieve a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon, address gaps in predominantly quantitative domestic research, and answer the question: What challenges exist in the lives of single-mother families? Research Background Domestic studies indicate that single mothers face numerous challenges, including socioeconomic issues, physical and mental health problems, stress, and depression (Seydalipour, 2019: 269), emotional and sexual needs (Mohammadi, 2020: 256), and difficulties in securing housing, suitable employment, education, healthcare, and food security (Alimandegari et al., 2018: 165). Interpersonal issues, relationships with the ex-spouse’s family and family of origin, and children’s academic and psychological problems have also been highlighted (Roghanchi et al., 2017: 53). In contrast, international research provides a broader examination, addressing sociocultural issues, childcare, employment, financial instability (Khan et al., 2023: 78), social stigma, child-rearing challenges (Thadathil, 2023: 607), and socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological challenges (Khan et al., 2022: 52). Additional issues include depression, anger, low self-esteem, isolation from loved ones (Noronha & Monteiro, 2016: 2456), and children’s low academic performance and strained relationships (Manengelo et al., 2023: 166). Methodology  This study adopted a qualitative strategy using inductive content analysis, extracting main categories and themes from raw data through valid inference and interpretation, involving thorough examination and continuous data comparison (Adel-Mehraban, 2015: 52). The research population comprised 336 single mothers under the Ramsar County Welfare Department in 2025. Purposive sampling selected 17 participants based on criteria including the absence of a male partner (due to divorce or death), having children, and willingness to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, achieving data saturation after the 14th interview, with three additional interviews for validation. Interview question validity was ensured through supervisor consultation and review of prior research. Data analysis used the Hsieh and Shannon classification, employing conventional qualitative content analysis where codes were derived directly or indirectly from data (Adel-Mehraban, 2015: 41). After coding and categorization, main themes were extracted. Internal validity and acceptability of findings were confirmed through appropriate researcher engagement in data collection and supervisor review.   Findings  Interviews with 17 single mothers identified six main themes regarding their challenges: Economic and Occupational Challenges: Single mothers struggle to secure suitable employment and sufficient income to cover living expenses, exacerbated by limited job opportunities and financial instability. Psychological Challenges: Multiple responsibilities lead to significant stress, anxiety, and depression, intensified by the absence of a partner and societal expectations. Physical and Sexual Challenges: Heavy workloads and lack of spousal support exacerbate physical health issues and unmet sexual needs, impacting overall well-being. Social Challenges: Negative societal judgments, feelings of being scrutinized, and difficulties in securing housing contribute to social exclusion and stigma. Familial Challenges: Lack of support or blame from the mother’s family, strained relations with the ex-spouse’s family, and inheritance disputes create additional burdens. Child-Related Challenges: Children in these families may exhibit behavioral, psychological, or academic difficulties, influenced by the absence of a father and maternal stress.   Discussion and Conclusion This qualitative study examined the challenges of single mothers in Ramsar, revealing that the 17 participants face a wide range of economic, occupational, psychological, physical, sexual, social, familial, and child-related challenges. In Iranian society, where traditional gender roles predominate, the father’s absence amplifies these difficulties. Economic struggles stem from job scarcity and inadequate income, while psychological challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression, arise from multiple responsibilities. Physical and sexual issues are worsened by demanding work and lack of a partner, and social challenges include stigma and housing difficulties. Familial issues involve lack of support, blame, or conflicts with the ex-spouse’s family, while children face behavioral, psychological, and academic issues. Consistent with domestic (Seydalipour, 2019) and international (Khan et al., 2022) research, the study recommends a comprehensive governmental approach: creating flexible job opportunities and vocational training, providing free counseling, strengthening social support networks, raising public awareness through educational programs, and revising laws to ensure legal rights and social justice for single mothers and their children.   References Adel-Mehraban, M. (2015) A Review of Qualitative Content Analysis and Its Application in Research. Isfahan: University of Medical Sciences and Health Services of Isfahan Province. [In Persian] Alimandegari, M., et al. (2018) Economic status of female heads of households under supportive institutions: A qualitative study in Shiraz. Journal of Population Association of Iran, 13(25), 165–192. [In Persian] Daliana, N., & Antoniou, A. S. (2018) The mental health of single-parent families in relation to psychological, societal, and financial parameters. In T. K. Babalis et al. (Eds.), Single-Parenting in the 21st Century: Perceptions, Issues, and Implications (pp. 77–101). Khan, M. I., et al. (2023) Exploring socio-cultural impediments on single mothers’ quality of life: Evidence from District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. International Journal of Human and Society, 3(4), 78–88. Khan, M. M., et al. (2022) Challenges of single motherhood in socio-cultural context: A qualitative study in rural areas of Bangladesh. Space and Culture, India, 10(2), 52–65. Manengelo, A. M., et al. (2023) Challenges and impacts of single parenting on students’ learning in government secondary schools in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing, 10(3), 166–175.  Mohammadi, Z. (2020) Sociological study of issues related to remarriage of female-headed households. Quarterly Journal of Woman and Society, 11(42), 256–278. [In Persian] Noronha, L., & Monteiro, M. (2016). A study on the challenges faced by single parents on teenager care. International Journal of Advanced Trends in Engineering and Technology, 2456–4664. Qorbanpoor Lafmejani, A. (2024). Fundamentals and Principles of Guidance and Counseling. Tehran: Zarnevasht. [In Persian] Roghanchi, M., et al. (2017). Exploration of pathologies in mother-headed families. Counseling Culture and Psychotherapy, 8(31), 53–78. [In Persian] Seydalipour, S. K. (2019). The relationship between cultural identity and quality of work life in female heads of households: A case study in Semnan City. Social-Political Research on Women and Family, 8(1), 269–296. [In Persian] Statistical Center of Iran. (2016) National Statistical Yearbook. <a href="https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/6200/Files/95-99-03.pdf">https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/PropertyAgent/6200/Files/95-99-03.pdf</a> Statistics Center. (2023) Table FG6: One-parent unmarried family groups with own children under 18, by marital status of the reference person: 2023. <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/single-parent-day.html">https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/single-parent-day.html</a> Thadathil, B. (2023) Exploring the challenges faced by single mothers in Guyana. International Journal of Science and Research, 12(8), 607–611. U.S. Yusuf, H., et al. (2020) Impact of single-mother family on child development: A review of literature. Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(10), 1985–1994. Zare-Bahramabadi, M., et al. (2014) The effectiveness of a relationship enhancement program on the quality of parent-child relationships in adolescent girls in mother-headed single-parent families. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5(2), 14–24. [In Persian]     <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a>. This article is based on the first author's master's thesis in family counseling at the University of Guilan and was written with the guidance of the second author. <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">*</a> M.A degree, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. tayebehbakhshi78@gmail.com <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">**</a> Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran. <a href="mailto:qorbanpoorlafmejani@guilan.ac.ir">qorbanpoorlafmejani@guilan.ac.ir</a>در خانوادههای تک&zwnj;والد مادر، پدر به دلایلی مانند فوت یا طلاق، حضور ندارد. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی چالش&zwnj;های خانواده&zwnj;های تکوالد مادر انجام گرفت. راهبرد پژوهش حاضر، کیفی و روش آن، تحلیل محتوای کیفی از نوع استقرایی است. جامعه پژوهش شامل تمامی مادران تکوالد تحت &zwnj;پوشش اداره بهزیستی شهرستان رامسر در سال 1403 می&zwnj;شود. مصاحبه با این مادران تا زمانی که دادهها به اشباع رسیدند، ادامه یافت و در مجموع در فرایند پژوهش با هفده مادر تکوالد مصاحبه شد. پس از تحلیل مصاحبه&zwnj;ها در زمینه چالش&zwnj;های مادران تک&zwnj;والد، شش مضمون اصلی یافت شد که شامل چالش&zwnj;های اقتصادی و شغلی، چالش&zwnj;های روانی، چالش&zwnj;های جنسی، چالش&zwnj;های اجتماعی، چالش&zwnj;های خانوادگی و چالش&zwnj;های مرتبط با فرزند می&zwnj;شود. برای رفع چالش&zwnj;های پیش &zwnj;روی مادران تک&zwnj;والد و کمک به بهبود کیفیت زندگی آنها و فرزندانشان، این پژوهش پیشنهاد می&zwnj;کند که دولت با اتخاذ رویکردی جامع، اقدامات زیر را در دستورکار خود قرار دهد: ایجاد فرصت&zwnj;های شغلی انعطاف&zwnj;پذیر و آموزش&zwnj;های حرفهای و مهارتی، ارائه خدمات مشاوره&zwnj;ای رایگان، تقویت شبکه&zwnj;های حمایتی اجتماعی، افزایش آگاهی عمومی از طریق برنامه&zwnj;های آموزشی و اطلاع&zwnj;رسانی و بازنگری در قوانین به&zwnj;منظور تضمین حقوق قانونی و عدالت اجتماعی برای مادران تکوالد و فرزندانشان.

http://risi.ihss.ac.ir/ar/Article/Download/50535

مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026Discourse Order and Preference in TV Series "Avai Baran" (with Emphasis on Issues and Harms of the Family Institution)نظم و ترجیح گفتمانی در سریال «آوای باران» (با تأکید بر مسائل و آسیب‌های نهاد خانواده)87114fa عبدالطیف کاروانیاستادیار گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه هرمزگان، هرمزگان، بندرعباس، ایران 0000000308199002مهدیکاوهدانش‌آموخته دکترای جامعه‌شناسی، دانشگاه شیراز، فارس، شیراز، ایران محمدرضاقنبریمربی گروه حقوق، واحد اصفهان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، اصفهان، ایران 2025518Discourse Order and Preference in TV Series "Avai Baran" (with Emphasis on Issues and Harms of the Family Institution)   Abdol-latif Karevani<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a> Mahdi Kaveh<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a> Mohammadreza Ghanbari<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">***</a>   This study examined the discursive order and preference represented in the Iranian TV series "Avai Baran," focusing on family issues and harms, using Laclau and Mouffe's discourse analysis method across six stages: identifying nodal points, articulating rival discourses, detecting floating signifiers, analyzing discursive relations, examining discursive antagonism outcomes, and linking to social context. The series depicted two opposing family discourses: the "ambitious" discourse (e.g., Nader's family), characterized by generational and cultural gaps leading to emotional coldness, deviant interactions, mistrust, lack of support, and parental passivity, resulting in white-collar crimes and secondary harms like street children; and the "responsible" discourse (e.g., Morteza and Taha's family), emphasizing normative parenting, mutual trust, family orientation, social support, and religiosity to maintain social order and prevent deviance. The discursive outcome favored the responsible discourse, punishing the ambitious one through ruin and disgrace, underscoring individual ethics in social order while downplaying structural institutions like police, reflecting institutional distrust. The findings suggest the series promotes a responsibility-oriented family model, relying on individualistic and deterministic ideology, recommending future media strengthen institutional representation and trust alongside personal responsibility for a more balanced social order portrayal.   Keywords: Avai Baran Tv Series, Family, Discourse Analysis, Media Representation, Family Issues and Harms.   Introduction In today’s world, mass media, particularly television series, transcend entertainment to become powerful platforms for producing, reproducing, and circulating social discourses. Leveraging compelling narratives and broad audiences, these series provide fertile ground for representing and reproducing discursive concepts. The critical task is analyzing how family discourses are portrayed, including the amplification or omission of semantic elements related to family dynamics, relationships, harms, identity formation, and social order. Among such productions, "Avai Baran" stands out as a purposeful choice for discourse analysis due to its audience-centric approach, focus on family issues, presence of diverse discourses, clear discursive boundaries, symbolic conflicts, and emphasis on social realities. Notably, the series has engaged families and influenced their lived experiences. This research seeks to examine the discursive order and preferences represented in "Avai Baran," with a focus on the issues and harms of the family institution. Given the media’s role in shaping public perceptions and representing social realities, analyzing the series’ discourse can clarify how familial and social concepts are semantically directed. The central research question explores how various discourses are represented within depicted families and which discourse ultimately dominates.   Methodology This study employs discourse analysis based on Laclau and Mouffe’s framework. The unit of analysis is the series "Avai Baran," and the unit of observation is its discursive relations. The analysis was conducted in six stages: identifying central signifiers, articulating and determining rival discourses, identifying floating signifiers, analyzing discursive relationships, examining the outcomes of discursive confrontations, and linking represented discourses to the social context. The series was selected for its multiple discourses, clear discursive boundaries, explicit confrontations, engagement with family and social issues, and audience impact.   Findings The findings indicate that "Avai Baran" portrays two opposing family discourses: Ambitious Discourse (e.g., Nader’s family): The central signifier is ambition and excessive desire. This family is characterized by emotional coldness, deviant social interactions, deep mistrust, lack of social support, and parental passivity toward children’s recklessness. Relationships lack mutual understanding, influenced by generational and cultural gaps. This discourse leads to white-collar crimes (e.g., drug trafficking) and secondary social harms, such as begging and street children. Responsible Discourse (e.g., Morteza and Taha’s family): The central signifier is responsibility at individual and social levels, articulated through family orientation, normative parenting, mutual trust, social support, and religiosity. These traits are crucial for maintaining social order and preventing deviance.   Discussion and Conclusion By juxtaposing these discourses, "Avai Baran" ultimately favors the responsible discourse, presenting it as the ideal model for Iranian families. The analysis reveals two distinct family types. Nader’s family, driven by ambition, is depicted as emotionally cold, lacking positive affect, with harsh, offensive, and sometimes violent interactions. Relationships lack understanding due to generational and cultural divides, marked by emotional detachment, harmful interactions, mistrust, lack of support, and parental inaction. In contrast, Morteza and Baran’s family is defined by responsibility at both individual and social levels, prioritizing family and normative parenting, with mutual trust as a cornerstone, unlike the mistrust pervasive in Nader’s family. The discursive outcome culminates in the triumph of the responsible discourse, with the ambitious discourse punished through death, ruin, and disgrace. This preference emphasizes individual ethics in maintaining social order while marginalizing structural institutions, such as the police, portrayed passively with deep mistrust—a finding reflecting certain social attitudes. The study concludes that, while successful in highlighting the negative consequences of extreme individualism and promoting family responsibility, the series relies on a deterministic ideology, omitting the agency of macro institutions, thus presenting an incomplete view of social regulation mechanisms. Media not only reflect realities but actively shape dominant family discourses and guide societal semantic preferences. Future media productions are recommended to strengthen representations of structural institutions and promote institutional trust alongside individual responsibility for a more comprehensive and realistic portrayal of social order.   References Aqababaee, E., & Khademolfogharaei, M. (2016) Representation of intra-family relationships in five Iranian films of the 2000s. Journal of Woman in Culture and Arts, 8(2), 171–192. [In Persian] Baker, P. (2011) Key Terms in Discourse Analysis. Continuum International Publisher. Fiske, J., & Hartley, J. (2003) Reading Television. Oxford: Routledge. Fussell, E., Lash, S., & Evans, A. (2011) The Changing Family: A Sociological Perspective. New York: Routledge. Gee, J. P. (2005) An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method. London: Routledge. Hall, S., Evans, J., & Nixon, S. (2013) Representation (2nd Ed.). London: Sage in association with The Open University. Halliday, M. (1989) Language, Context and Text: Aspects of Language in a Social Semiotics Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hormouzizadeh, M. A., et al. (2018) Representation of family relations in the four seasons of Paytakht TV series. Journal of Family Research, 14(53), 7–22. [In Persian] İnceoğlu, İ. (2020) Gender representation on Turkish TV. The International Encyclopedia of Gender, Media, and Communication, 1–6. Jørgensen, M. W., & Phillips, L. J. (2002) Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method. Sage. Karevani, A., & Kaveh, M. (2020) Discourse analysis of family representation in the TV series Zir-e Paye Madar. Strategic Research on Social Problems, 9(4), 99–116. [In Persian] Laclau, E., & Mouffe, C. (2002) Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Towards a Radical Democratic Politics. Verso Trade. Lawrence, E. (2005) Changing images of the American family in literature and media: 1945–1990. <a href="http://www.yale.edu/ynht/curriculum/units/1990/4/90.04.intro.x.html">http://www.yale.edu/ynht/curriculum/units/1990/4/90.04.intro.x.html</a> Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. (1985) Naturalistic Enquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage. Maltezos, C. S. (2011) The Return of the 1950s Nuclear Family in Films of the 1980s. Master Thesis, University of South Florida. Mohammadi, H., et al. (2024) Analyzing the narrative of femininity in the transition from tradition to modernity: A case study of the Shahrzad series. Gender and Family Studies, 12(1), 75–112. [In Persian] Piri, H., et al. (2021) Media pathology in representing family and its types: A case study of Ilam Broadcasting Organization. Journal of Woman in Culture and Arts, 13(2), 319–340. [In Persian] Silverstone, R. (1999) Why Study the Media? London: Sage Publications. Tajik, M. R. (2000) Discourse and Discourse Analysis. Tehran: Farhang-e Gofteman. [In Persian] Tajik, M. R. (2004) Discourse, Counter-Discourse, and Politics. Tehran: Institute for Human Sciences Development. [In Persian] Watson, J., & Hill, A. (2006) Dictionary of Media and Communication Studies. London: Bloomsbury. Zokaei, M. S., & Fathinia, M. (2014) Representation of intergenerational relationships in popular Iranian TV series. Jame-Pazhuhi Farhangi, 4(4), 29–54. [In Persian]             <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> Corresponding Author: Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran. <a href="mailto:a.karevani@hormozgan.ac.ir">a.karevani@hormozgan.ac.ir</a> <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">** </a>Ph.D. in Sociology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. <a href="mailto:mkaveh90@gmail.com">mkaveh90@gmail.com</a> <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">***</a> Lecturer, Department of Law, Isfahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. <a href="mailto:law.ghanbari@yahoo.com">law.ghanbari@yahoo.com</a>  در عصر حاضر، رسانه&zwnj;های جمعی به&zwnj;ویژه سریال&zwnj;های تلویزیونی، نقشی فراتر از سرگرمی ایفا کرده و به بستری مؤثر برای تولید، بازتولید و چرخش گفتمان&zwnj;های اجتماعی تبدیل شده&zwnj;اند. پژوهش حاضر با هدف شناخت نظم و ترجیح گفتمانی بازنماییشده در سریال «آوای باران» و با تأکید بر مسائل و آسیب&zwnj;های نهاد خانواده انجام شده است. در روش تحلیل گفتمان شش مرحله&zwnj;ای این پژوهش، واحد تحلیل، سریال و واحد مشاهده، مناسبات گفتمانی موجود در فیلم بوده است. یافته&zwnj;ها نشان داد که در این سریال، دو گفتمان&zwnj; خانوادگی جاه&zwnj;طلب و مسئولیت&zwnj;پذیر بازنمایی شده است. روابط تعارضی اعضای خانواده در گفتمان جاه&zwnj;طلب با یکدیگر از دو گونه شکاف نسلی و شکاف فرهنگی ناشی می&zwnj;شود. در گفتمان مسئولیت&zwnj;پذیر، روش تربیتی فرزندان، اهمیت اساسی داشته است و در این گفتمان، اعتماد به یکدیگر، جایگاه ویژه&zwnj;ای دارد. فرجام گفتمانی با برتری گفتمان خانوادۀ مسئولیت&zwnj;پذیر، خاتمه یافته است. نکته دیگر مشاهده، نوعی بی&zwnj;اعتماد نهادی و به&zwnj;ویژه بی&zwnj;اعتمادی نسبت به نیروی انتظامی و پلیس بوده است. بر اساس یافته&zwnj;های پژوهش می&zwnj;توان به این نتیجه دست یافت که سریال «آوای باران» با ترسیم تقابل گفتمانی میان خانواده&zwnj;هایی با محوریت جاه&zwnj;طلبی و مسئولیت&zwnj;پذیری، ترجیح معنایی خود را به سوی الگوی مسئولیت&zwnj;پذیر سوق داده است. این ترجیح ضمن تأکید بر نقش اخلاق فردی در حفظ نظم اجتماعی، نقش نهادهای ساختاری را کمرنگ کرده و بر ایدئولوژی فردگرایانه و تقدیرمحور تکیه کرده است.

http://risi.ihss.ac.ir/ar/Article/Download/50290

مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026Instagram life and the tendency towards neoliberal values in Iranian societyزیست اینستاگرامی و گرایش به ارزش‌های نئولیبرال در جامعه ایرانی115148faکرم الله جوانمرداستادیار گروه جامعه‌شناسی، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه آیت ¬الله العظمی بروجردی(ره)، بروجرد، ایران0000000153357730 فرشادگودرزیمربی، استاد مدعو گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه آیت ¬الله العظمی بروجردی(ره)، بروجرد، ایران 202565Instagram Life and the Tendency Toward Neoliberal Values in Iranian Society   Karamollah Javanmard<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a>  Farshad Goudarzi<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a>   In the contemporary era, virtual social networks, as part of neoliberalism’s power technologies, serve as spaces where neoliberal worldview values are produced and reproduced. This study investigates the role of Instagram in fostering neoliberal values among Iranian users. Utilizing a quantitative survey method and structural equation modeling, the research sampled 400 Instagram users selected non-randomly. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire, validated through face validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach’s alpha. Sample size was determined using SamplePower software, and data analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted with SPSS and AMOS Graphics. Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between Instagram use dimensions—virtual capital accumulation, presence in cyberspace, and activity in cyberspace—and neoliberal values, with Instagram use increasing the tendency toward these values. These dimensions explained 31.6% of the variance in neoliberal values. In a critical reading, Instagram, as a key component of neoliberal capitalist power technologies, plays a fundamental role in reproducing values such as individualism, competitiveness, consumerism, fluidity, and achievementism.   Keywords: Instagram, Neoliberal Values, Capitalism, Cyberspace, Critical reading.   Introduction Neoliberalism, with its focus on the gig economy, the dot-com revolution, and platform capitalism, has fundamentally transformed economic production structures while profoundly altering social, ethical, and human values through data accumulation logic in virtual social networks like Instagram, Twitter, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Under neoliberalism’s influence, individuals perceive themselves within a framework of specific values that shape their behaviors and decisions. These neoliberal values, rooted in market logic and digital communication, define personal worth and societal expectations, guiding perceptions of what is valuable. Instagram, a globally popular social network with over two billion users, has become a significant platform due to its versatile features. Its widespread use has notable cultural and identity-related implications, particularly in promoting neoliberal tendencies such as individualism, consumerism, and free-market principles. Analyzing these dynamics is essential, and this study aims to critically examine Iranian Instagram users’ inclination toward neoliberal values, addressing whether such a tendency exists.   Methodology This study employed a quantitative survey method with structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised over 42 million Iranian Instagram users, as per recent official data (ISPA, 2023). Non-probability convenience sampling selected 400 participants, with the sample size calculated using SamplePower software at a 0.05 error level, increased from 385 to ensure accuracy and account for incomplete responses. Data were collected via an online researcher-designed questionnaire, distributed through Instagram’s Explore section, with inclusion criteria requiring active Instagram use in 2025 and exclusion criteria eliminating incomplete responses. Ethical considerations ensured participant anonymity and informed consent. Data analysis utilized Spss 26 for statistical computations and AMOS Graphics 24 for structural equation modeling.   Findings A Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.329 (p = 0.000) indicated a significant positive relationship between Instagram use and the tendency toward neoliberal values, suggesting that increased Instagram engagement correlates with a 0.329 increase in neoliberal value inclination, rejecting the null hypothesis (H0) at a 0.1% level with 99% confidence in generalizability. The dimensions of Instagram use—virtual capital accumulation, presence in cyberspace, and activity in cyberspace—with a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.341, explained 31.6% of the variance in neoliberal values. A significant F-value (>1.96) and p < 0.05 confirmed Instagram’s substantial impact. The “presence in cyberspace” dimension had the highest explanatory power (β = 0.234), followed by “virtual capital accumulation” (β = 0.113, p = 0.042), and “activity in cyberspace” (β = 0.113, p = 0.112). Structural equation modeling showed the personalization dimension (0.430) and diversification dimension (0.350) seems to had the greatest impact on neoliberal values, while the medialization dimension (0.203) had a lesser effect compared to celebrity-related dimensions.   Discussion and Conclusion The study tested three hypotheses linking Instagram use to neoliberal values. The first confirmed a relationship between virtual capital accumulation and neoliberal value inclination, validated through statistical tests. The second established a connection between presence in cyberspace and neoliberal values, and the third confirmed the link between cyberspace activity and these values. Thus, it seems that Instagram operates as a neoliberal organization, continuously producing and reproducing values like individualism, competitiveness, and achievementism, reinforcing these tendencies among Iranian users through various platform mechanisms. The findings suggest it seems that Instagram has successfully advanced neoliberalism’s cultural project in Iran, aligning with theorists’ claims about the structural role of new media in the neoliberal order. These platforms not only institutionalize neoliberal values but also manage capitalism’s crises. In Iranian society, the growing inclination toward neoliberal culture is evident, further supported by this study’s results.   References Barati, M. J., & Atrian, N. (2021) Examining the relationship between Instagram use and cultural changes among students: A case study of Isfahan University of Technology. Rasaneh, 33(4), 227–248. [In Persian] Bataeva, E., & Chumakova-Sierova, A. (2022) Values in visual practices of Instagram network users. Conference on Integrated Computer Technologies in Mechanical Engineering–Synergetic Engineering, 992–1002. Bauman, Z. (2017) Intimations of Postmodernity. Translated by H. Chavoshiyan. 4th ed. Tehran: Qoqnoos. [In Persian] Bauman, Z. (2021) Liquid Love: On the Frailty of Human Bonds. Translated by E. Sabeti. 7th ed. Tehran: Qoqnoos. [In Persian] Brown, W. (2015) Undoing the Demos: Neoliberalism’s Stealth Revolution. New York: Zone Books. Brown, W., et al. (2022) Authoritarianism: Three Inquiries. Translated by N. Imani Marei, S. Esmaeili, & S. Najafi. 1st ed. Tehran: Ney. [In Persian] Callero, P. L. (2023) The Myth of Individualism: How Social Forces Shape Our Lives. Translated by H. Jalili. 4th ed. Tehran: Bidgol. [In Persian] Friedman, M. (2022) Capitalism and Freedom. Translated by G. Jamshidi. 8th ed. Tehran: Ney. [In Persian] Frier, S. (2021) No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram. Translated by S. Zargariyan. 1st ed. Tehran: Amookhteh. [In Persian] Fuchs, C. (2017) Social Media: A Critical Introduction. London: Sage Publications. Ghasemi, V. (2013) Structural Equation Modeling in Social Research Using Amos Graphics. 2nd ed. Tehran: Jameshenasan. [In Persian] Goudarzi, F. (2024) Neoliberalism: A critical reading of the saturation of social life fields. Journal of Social Continuity and Change, 2(2), 435–449. [In Persian] Han, B.-C. (2021a) Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power. Translated by M. Ensafi. 2nd ed. Tehran: Logos. [In Persian] Han, B.-C. (2021b) The Burnout Society, The Transparency Society. Translated by M. Memariyan. 6th ed. Tehran: Tarjoman. [In Persian] Han, B.-C. (2023) In the Swarm & The Expulsion of the Other. Translated by M. Rasekh Mahnad & M. Parizadeh. 2nd ed. Tehran: Baan. [In Persian] Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2022) Assembly. Translated by F. Habibi. 2nd ed. Tehran: Negah. [In Persian] Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2023) Empire Twenty Years On. Translated by F. Habibi. 2nd ed. Tehran: Negah. [In Persian] Harvey, D. (2021) A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Translated by M. Abdullahzadeh. 5th ed. Tehran: Datt. [In Persian] Heidari, F. (2018) Investigating the Role of Instagram Social Media in Promoting Cultural Values of Master’s Students. Master’s thesis, Islamic Azad University, East Tehran Branch. [In Persian] ISPA (2023) Users of virtual social networks in Iran in 2023. [In Persian] Kazemi, A. (2022) Everyday Life in Post-Revolutionary Society. 6th ed. Tehran: Farhang-e Javid. [In Persian] Majdizade, Z., et al. (2023) The emergence of neoliberal pseudo-feminism on Iranian women’s Instagram pages. Sociology of Culture and Art, 4(4), 48–72. [In Persian] Marcella-Hood, M., & Marcella, R. (2023) Purposive and non-purposive information behavior on Instagram. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 55(3), 634–657. McNeely, B., et al. (2020) Social capital on Instagram: Application for small apparel retailers. Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness, 14(4), 22–38. Mohebbi, A., & Kia, A. (2020) Social networks and cultural changes among University of Tehran students based on Inglehart’s materialistic and post-materialistic values. Journal of Culture-Communication Studies, 21(51), 63–90. [In Persian] Moore, J. (2021) Social Value, Content Value and Infinite Scroll’s Roles Towards Instagram Capturing Millennial Users in a State of Flow. Doctoral dissertation, National College of Ireland. Pashaei-Koljahi, A. (2021) Investigating the Relationship Between Instagram Use and the Formation of New Norms Among Youth. Master’s thesis, Al-Zahra University. [In Persian] Pradika, G., et al. (2018) The influence of social value on the attitude of m-advertising users and the purchase intention of the millennial generation on the Instagram application. European Journal of Business and Management, 10(12), 113–122. Roberts, J. (2014) Social media and the neoliberal subject. Journal of Bristol University Press Digital, 16(1), 93–112. Songkeng, S., et al. (2023) Shifts in social values due to using social media Instagram towards adolescents in Makassar city. Asian Journal of Engineering, Social and Health, 2(5), 354–362. Varoufakis, Y. (2021) Techno-feudalism: Replacing market capitalism. Journal of Commentary. <a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org">https://www.project-syndicate.org</a> Varoufakis, Y. (2024) Techno-Feudalism: What Killed Capitalism. Translated by S. Kafashi. 1st ed. Tehran: Bidgol. [In Persian]     <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> Assistant Professor, faculty member of the Department of Social Sciences, Ayatollah Borujerdi, University, Borujerd, Iran. <a href="mailto:k.javanmard@abru.ac.ir">k.javanmard@abru.ac.ir</a>                                      <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">**</a> Corresponding Author: Instructor, Visiting Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran. farshadgoudarzi262@gmail.comامروزه شبکه&zwnj;های اجتماعی مجازی به &zwnj;عنوان قِسمی از فناوری&zwnj;های قدرت نئولیبرالیسم، به&zwnj;مثابه فضایی در نظر گرفته&zwnj; می&zwnj;شوند که ارزش&zwnj;های جهان&zwnj;بینی نئولیبرال در آنها تولید و بازتولید می&zwnj;شود. مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی نقش اینستاگرام در گرایش به ارزش&zwnj;های نئولیبرال در میان کاربران ایرانی است. مطالعه حاضر از نوع مطالعات کاربردی است که در آن از روش کمی پیمایش و مدل&zwnj;سازی معادلات ساختاری استفاده شده است. جامعه آماری پژوهش حاضر شامل 400 نفر از کاربران اینستاگرام است که به طور غیر تصادفی در دسترس انتخاب شده&zwnj;اند. ابزار گردآوری داده&zwnj;ها، پرسشنامه محقق&zwnj;ساخته است که با اعتبار صوری، تحلیل&zwnj; عاملی تأییدی و آزمون آلفای کروناخ، اعتبار و پایایی آن تأیید شده است. برای برآورد حجم نمونه از نرم&zwnj;افزار سمپل پاور و برای تجزیه و تحلیل داده&zwnj;ها و ترسیم مدل معادله ساختاری پژوهش از نرم&zwnj;افزارهای اِس&zwnj;پی&zwnj;اِس&zwnj;اِس و اِیموس گرافیک استفاده شده است. یافته&zwnj;های مطالعه حاضر نشان داد که بین ابعاد مختلف متغیر اینستاگرام چون انباشت سرمایه مجازی، حضور در فضای مجازی و فعالیت در فضایی مجازی و ارزش&zwnj;های نئولیبرال، رابطه مثبت و معناداری وجود دارد و استفاده از اینستاگرام، گرایش به ارزش&zwnj;های نئولیبرال را افزایش می&zwnj;دهد. همچنین ابعاد مختلف متغیر اینستاگرام، 6/31 درصد از واریانس متغیر ارزش&zwnj;های نئولیبرال را تبیین کردند. نتایج این مطالعه نشان داد که در خوانشی انتقادی، اینستاگرام به&zwnj;مثابه بخش مهمی از فناوری&zwnj;های قدرت نظم سرمایه&zwnj;داری نئولیبرال، نقش اساسی در بازتولید ارزش&zwnj;های نئولیبرالی چون فردگرایی، رقابت&zwnj;جویی، مصرف&zwnj;گرایی، سیالیت و دستاوردسالاری دارد.

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مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوریپژوهش انحرافات و مسائل اجتماعی3060-821X51520251026A Study of Socially Aversive Personalities in the Phenomenon of Addiction: An Analysis Based on the Big Five Personality Traitsبررسی رابطه شخصیت‌های بیزاری‌آور اجتماعی با اعتیاد149178faعلی محمدزادهاستاد گروه روانشناسی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران زهراحیران سنگستانیدانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد روان شناسی بالینی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد تبریز، تبریز، ایران 0009-0004-9271-3864سمیهقلیزادهکارشناسی ارشد روانشناسی عمومی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران 0009-0000-4945-0158فریبا سلطانی شاهگلیکارشناسی ارشد روانشناسی بالینی، واحد مرند، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، مرند، ایران0009-0001-0494-43542025315A Study of Socially Aversive Personalities in the Phenomenon of Addiction: An Analysis Based on the Big Five Personality Traits   Ali Mohammadzadeh<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">*</a> Zahra Heyran Sangestani<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">**</a> Somayeh Golizadeh<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">***</a>  Fariba Soltani Shahgoli<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">****</a>    The personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and antisocial behavior, collectively known as the dark triad, are recognized as socially aversive personalities. Research has reported associations between these traits and substance abuse. This study aimed to elucidate dark personality traits in individuals with substance abuse using the Five-Factor Model of personality. The statistical population consisted of male addicts attending public and private addiction treatment centers in Tabriz in 2022. A sample of 206 participants was tested using the Machiavellian Personality Questionnaire, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-2, and the long-form NEO Personality Inventory. Findings revealed that among substance abusers, Machiavellian personality showed a strong positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Narcissistic personality was negatively correlated with agreeableness and positively correlated with conscientiousness, while antisocial personality was positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with agreeableness. The common personality trait across the dark triad in substance abusers, according to the Five-Factor Model, is low agreeableness. Keywords: Addiction, Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Antisocial, Five-Factor Model.   Introduction Addiction is a complex and multifaceted social issue driven by various social and individual factors. One significant obstacle to effective treatment is personality factors. Among these, the dark triad personality traits—Machiavellianism, narcissism, and antisocial behavior—encompass both individual psychological and social dimensions. These maladaptive behavioral patterns can lead to diverse consequences and harms at individual and societal levels. Despite differences in their origins, these traits share common characteristics, including socially negative behaviors, tendencies for personal advancement, emotional coldness, deceitfulness, and aggression (Greitemeyer & Seidl, 2024, p. 1). These personality traits can be examined through the lens of general personality frameworks, with the Five-Factor Model (comprising neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) being a prominent approach to personality assessment. Studies, such as Yusefi and Teymouri (2019) and Sadri et al. (2019), have confirmed the significant role of dark personality traits in individuals’ vulnerability to addiction. Additionally, Takloo and Ramazani (2019) found that women predisposed to addiction exhibit higher dark personality traits, while Fodstad et al. (2024) indicated that these traits may hinder successful substance abuse treatment. This study draws on two theoretical frameworks: The Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction, which views addiction as the result of complex interactions among genetic, hormonal, psychological (e.g., personality traits and mental disorders), and social factors (e.g., family environment, peer pressure, and socio-economic conditions). This model emphasizes the need for comprehensive treatment addressing all these dimensions (Skewes & Gonzalez, 2013, p. 2). Social Control Theory, which underscores the importance of an individual’s bonds with social institutions (family, school, community). Weakened bonds are seen as contributing to risky behaviors like addiction. Personality traits such as Machiavellianism and antisocial tendencies, which diminish empathy and social commitment, increase vulnerability to addiction (Wild, 2006, p. 42).   Methodology This descriptive correlational study targeted male addicts registered at addiction treatment centers in Tabriz in 2022. Using convenience sampling, 206 participants were included. Data were analyzed with multivariate regression. The following instruments were used: Machiavellian Personality Questionnaire: Assessed Machiavellian traits, with reliability confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75, consistent with prior studies (Christie & Geis, 1970). Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-2 (MCMI-2): Measured DSM-IV-TR personality disorders, with subscales for narcissistic and antisocial personalities used in this study. The instrument has demonstrated adequate validity and reliability in Iran (Khajeh Moghaddam, 1994). Revised NEO Personality Inventory: Assessed the Five-Factor Model traits, with validity confirmed in Iranian samples by Hakshenas (2006) with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.57 to 0.83.   Findings Results indicated positive correlations among Machiavellian, narcissistic, and antisocial personalities. Specifically: Machiavellian Personality: Showed a positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with agreeableness and extraversion. Regression analysis revealed that neuroticism alone predicted 16% of the variance in Machiavellian personality. Including agreeableness increased the explained variance to 26%, and adding extraversion raised it to 28%. Narcissistic Personality: Was negatively correlated with agreeableness (explaining 8% of variance) and positively correlated with conscientiousness (increasing to 17% when combined). It showed significant associations with extraversion facets (warmth, gregariousness, assertiveness), agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Antisocial Personality: Was positively correlated with neuroticism (explaining 10% of variance), rising to 13% with the inclusion of agreeableness. It showed positive correlations with all neuroticism domains but negative correlations with certain aspects of agreeableness and conscientiousness.   Discussion and Conclusion The study found that Machiavellian personality exhibited the strongest positive correlation with neuroticism and negative correlations with agreeableness and extraversion. High neuroticism in these individuals is associated with negative emotional dominance and alexithymia, commonly observed in psychological disorders and substance abuse. The depression facet showed a stronger correlation with Machiavellian traits, indicating a propensity for depressive states. Machiavellians tend to be introverted, less extraverted, and exhibit reduced positive emotions. Low agreeableness reflects self-centeredness, distrust, and competitiveness, aligning with classic descriptions of Machiavellian personality (Clark et al., 2024, p. 210; McClintock, 2024, p. 1). For narcissistic personality, a negative correlation with agreeableness and a positive correlation with conscientiousness (particularly competence linked to high self-esteem) were observed. The negative relationship with agreeableness aligns with prior research in the general population, which identifies low agreeableness as a key feature of narcissistic individuals (Bradlee, Young, & Pinsky, 2006, p. 463; Miller et al., 2009, p. 483). Antisocial traits were positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with agreeableness, showing significant overlap with Machiavellian traits. This supports theories suggesting structural similarities between Machiavellian and antisocial personalities (Lee & Ashton, 2005, p. 1571; Yousaf et al., 2023, p. 1; Nai & Young, 2021, p. 1). Thus, low agreeableness is a common characteristic of the dark triad (Machiavellian, narcissistic, and antisocial) personalities among substance abusers, reflecting impaired empathy and interpersonal exploitation. The study faced two limitations: the length of the questionnaires and the exclusive focus on male participants, which may impact generalizability. Policy recommendations include enhancing agreeableness in addicts through interventions targeting communication skills, self-awareness, ethical values, and family environment improvements to mitigate dark triad traits and foster positive personality traits. References Bradlee, P. M., & Emmons, R. A. (1992) Locating narcissism within the interpersonal circumplex and the Five-Factor Model. Personality and Individual Differences, 13, 821–830. Christie, R., & Geis, F. L. (Eds.) (1970) Studies in Machiavellianism. London: Academic Press. Clark, S. L., Dodd, C. G., Mitchell, T. B., Ingram, S. J., Armstrong, G. M., Jha, M. K., ... & Trivedi, M. H. (2024) Substance use patterns and mental health comorbidities in youth with a history of depression or suicidality: Findings from TX-YDSRN. Journal of Affective Disorders, 366, 210–216. Fodstad, E. C., Erga, A. H., Pallesen, S., Ushakova, A., & Erevik, E. K. (2024) Personality traits as predictors of recovery among patients with substance use disorder. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 162, 209360. Greitemeyer, T., & Seidl, N. (2024) Dark and light university: The relationship between dark and light personality traits and educational choices and the desire for power as a mediating factor. Acta Psychologica, 248, 104400. Hakshenas, H. (2006) Five-Factor Model of Personality Traits. Shiraz: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. [In Persian] Khajeh Moghaddam, N. (1994) Preliminary preparation of the Persian form of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) [Master’s thesis, Clinical Psychology]. Advisor: Mohammad Naqi Baraheni. Faculty of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences. [In Persian] Lee, K., & Ashton, M. C. (2005) Psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism in the Five-Factor Model and the Hexaco model of personality structure. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 1571–1582. McClintock, H. F., Hinson-Enslin, A. M., & Nahhas, R. W. (2024) Depression as a mediator of the association between vision and/or hearing loss and recent substance use: NHANES 2013–2018. Disability and Health Journal, 17(2), 101575. Miller, J. D., Gaughan, E. T., Pryor, L. R., Kamen, C., & Campbell, W. K. (2009) Is research using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory relevant for understanding narcissistic personality disorder? Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 482–488. Nai, A., & Young, E. L. (2024) They choose violence. Dark personality traits drive support for politically motivated violence in five democracies. Personality and Individual Differences, 230, 112794. Sadri Damirchi, E., Esrafily, H., & Mesbahi, F. (2019) Addiction potential pattern based on dark triad traits of personality and schema modes. Etiadpajohi, 13(53), 119–138. [In Persian] Skewes, M. C., & Gonzalez, V. M. (2013) The biopsychosocial model of addiction. Principles of Addiction, 1, 61–70. Taklavi, S., & Ramezani, M. (2019) Comparison of emotional failure and dark triad (DT) in women with and without addiction potentiality. Etiadpajohi, 13(53), 285–300. [In Persian] Wild, T. C. (2006) Social control and coercion in addiction treatment: Towards evidence-based policy and practice. Addiction, 101(1), 40–49. Young, S. M., & Pinsky, D. (2006) Narcissism and celebrity. Journal of Research in Personality, 40, 463–471. Yousaf, S., Liu, Y., & Feite, L. (2023) Dark personality traits and sensation-seeking tourist behaviors. Is there a link? A preliminary investigation of Chinese tourists. Tourism Management Perspectives, 47, 101119. Yusefi, R., & Teymouri, S. (2020) The structural relationship between the dark triad traits and addiction potentiality. Etiadpajohi, 13(54), 31–46. [In Persian]   <a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">*</a> Corresponding Author: Professor, Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran. A_mohammadzadeh@pnu.ac.ir <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">**</a>M.A Student in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran. hairanizahra829@gmail.com <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">***</a> M.A of Science in General Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran. golizadeh8285@gmail.com <a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">****</a> M.A of Science in Clinical Psychology, Marand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Iran. fariba.soltani.1985@gmail.comسه شخصيت ماکياوليايي، خودشيفتگي و ضد اجتماعي به &zwnj;عنوان شخصیت&zwnj;های بیزاری&zwnj;آور اجتماعی و مثلث تاريك شخصيتي شناخته مي&zwnj;شوند. پژوهش&zwnj;ها، ارتباط این صفات را با سوءمصرف مواد گزارش کرده&zwnj;اند. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تبیین صفات تاريک شخصيتي بر اساس الگوي پنج عاملي شخصيت در سوءمصرف&zwnj;کننده&zwnj;های مواد انجام گرفت. جامعه آماري معتادان مرد مراجعه&zwnj;کننده به مراکز ترک اعتیاد خصوصی و دولتی شهر تبریز در سال 1401 تشکیل می&zwnj;دادند. از بین جامعه آماری، 206 نفر مورد آزمون قرار گرفتند. آزمودني&zwnj;ها به پرسشنامه&zwnj;هاي شخصيت ماکياوليايي، پرسشنامه شخصيت چند&zwnj;محوري باليني ميلون-2 و فرم بلند شخصيت نئو پاسخ دادند. یافته&zwnj;ها نشان داد که در میان سوءمصرف&zwnj;کننده&zwnj;های مواد، شخصيت ماکياوليايي با روان&zwnj;آزرده&zwnj;گرايي (به&zwnj; صورت مثبت)، برون&zwnj;گرايي، توافق&zwnj;جويي و با وجدان بودن (به&zwnj; صورت منفي)، شخصيت خودشيفته با توافق&zwnj;جويي (به&zwnj; صورت منفي) و با وجدان بودن (به&zwnj; صورت مثبت) و شخصيت ضد اجتماعي با روان&zwnj;آزرده&zwnj;گرايي (به&zwnj; صورت مثبت) و توافق&zwnj;جويي (به &zwnj;صورت منفي)، بيشترين رابطه را نشان دادند. می&zwnj;توان نتیجه گرفت که وجه مشترک شخصيتي مطابق الگوی پنج عاملی در مثلث تاريک شخصيتي در بین سوءمصرف&zwnj;کننده&zwnj;های مواد توافق&zwnj;جويي پايين است.

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