Journal of Social Work Research

Abstract A number of studies have examined some forms of child labor, but there are no studies that systematically address the various forms of child labor, their contexts, characteristics, and consequences. In this study, using a qualitative method, the forms of child labor in Tehran have been studied. The study was conducted using the grounded theory method. The study population consists of three groups of children, their employers and child specialists. In order to analyze the findings, a three-step coding method was used to construct the theory of child labor. Findings show that children in Tehran work in various forms of work, including the worst form of work. The relations of these works are divided into three categories: kinship, employer and organized. The main causes of child labor are the development gap in the country, the war and poverty in Afghanistan, the poverty of families, the culture of some communities about children and child labor, the informal labor market and the legal framework and law enforcement. Also, the reasons for children and their families to work are to cover part of the household expenses, to learn skills in the absence of a link between education and employment. The main strategies of children and their families are a number of actions in order to promote and increase income and reduce work risks. In addition to being exploited, children in various forms of work, depending on their circumstances and characteristics, harms their physical and mental health and disorder their effective socialization.

Abstract This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the challenges and obstacles to the empowerment projects of women heads of households under the coverage of the Welfare Organization of Sanandaj. This study was conducted qualitatively and using the purposive sampling method. The participants were 10 experts who cooperate with the Welfare Organization, as well as 15 women heads of households who are covered by the Welfare Organization and have used empowerment programs and services. In order to collect information, semi-structured interviews were used, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the information. Five main themes and eleven sub-themes were obtained from the information analysis. The main themes include: communication gap, process challenges, economic barriers, environmental disabling factors, and structural factors. The four themes were raised jointly by both experts and women heads of households, and the last theme, titled structural factors, was raised only by experts. The results of this study showed that despite the efforts of the Welfare Organization to provide empowerment plans and programs for female heads of households, these plans face various challenges and problems; weakness in performing professional work, lack of facilitation of employment conditions, inefficiency of education, lack of financial support for plans, cultural and social factors, administrative bureaucracy, and weak inter-organizational cooperation are among the obstacles and challenges of the programs.

Abstract Social resilience refers to the ability of societies to cope, adapt, and recover effectively from crises, risks, and environmental, economic, and social changes. This concept emphasizes the capacity of individuals, groups, and social institutions to maintain cohesion, participation, mutual trust, and continuity of basic societal functions in crisis situations. The importance of social resilience in metropolises has received more attention than ever before due to increasing social complexity, population growth, and the diversity of risks. Promoting social resilience can provide the basis for reducing vulnerability, strengthening social capital, increasing citizens' adaptive capacity, and improving crisis management capacity, and play an important role in achieving sustainable urban development. The purpose of the present study is to extract the components of social resilience in the Tehran metropolis. The research method of this study is qualitative, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 experts to extract the components of social resilience. After collecting the data from interviews with social dimension experts, they were extracted and categorized into 5 components: identity and sense of belonging (in the form of community satisfaction and sense of belonging indicators), social justice (in the form of access to services, inclusiveness, and social security indicators), quality of life (in the form of security, health, peace, and access to public spaces indicators), social capital (in the form of social cohesion, participation, and cooperation indicators, education, awareness, and trust indicators), and cultural capital (with indicators of ethnicities and religions, citizenship rights, and customs).

Abstract Early marriage, as a significant social and familial issue, has extensive consequences on the psychological, cognitive, and social aspects of women's lives and can meaningfully influence their individual and social development trajectories. The present study aimed to explore the lifeworld of women with early marriage experiences and to identify the individual, familial, and socio-economic–cultural consequences of this phenomenon. This study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 27 married women who had experienced marriage before the age of 18. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation to capture a wide range of experiences. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data were analyzed through iterative coding, constant comparison, and abstraction processes. The findings indicated that early marriage has profound and intertwined consequences at the individual level, including psychological harms, identity formation disturbances, and physical health issues; at the familial level, including reduced marital satisfaction, impaired parenting, and family tensions; and at the socio-economic–cultural level, including school dropout, decreased social participation, perpetuation of poverty, and reproduction of traditional gender norms. Overall, the results demonstrate that the consequences of early marriage are multi-level and intergenerational, highlighting the necessity of designing multidimensional psychological, educational, and policy interventions to prevent and mitigate its effects.

Abstract This article reports on the intervention of a social worker on a 21-year-old single girl (nicknamed Yalda) who referred herself to a hospital in Tehran with pregnancy symptoms. The present study was conducted with a qualitative approach and a case report method, and the data were examined through thematic analysis. The social worker's interventions were carried out with two main perspectives: crisis intervention and motivational interviewing. Yalda had experienced emotional turmoil, suicidal thoughts, repressed anger, and risky behaviors following an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, contracting the sexually transmitted disease HPV, losing her job, and emotional breakdown. Pregnancy was considered a serious threat to her social status. During the intervention process, the social worker, by establishing a professional and supportive relationship, paved the way for a change in the client's attitude; so that Yalda decided to start treatment for her illness after giving birth and to consciously manage her sexual and emotional relationships. Also, with the focus on returning to normal functioning before the crisis, family empowerment and support were emphasized. The family gradually accepted the pregnancy and became a source of support and security for Yalda. The main themes in this study are: 1) Crisis intervention 2) Motivational interviewing as an empowerment approach to behavior change 3) Systemic and multidisciplinary intervention in the hospital context 4) Promoting resilience and psychosocial empowerment 5) Documentation, evaluation, and professional review of interventions.

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting relapse among recovered substance users in addiction treatment camps in Kerman, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study employed a cross-sectional design. The statistical population comprised all individuals referring to addiction treatment camps in Kerman. Using Morgan’s table, a sample of 355 participants was selected through two-stage cluster and random sampling. Data were collected using three standardized instruments: The Social Support Questionnaire (Fleming et al., 1982), the Relapse Prediction Scale (Wright, 1993), and the Family Functioning Questionnaire (Epstein et al., 1983). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results: Findings revealed a significant negative and indirect relationship between family functioning, social support, and relapse to substance use. Significant relationships were also found between perceived social support from family, perceived support from friends, general social support, and relapse among recovered individuals in addiction treatment camps in Kerman. Furthermore, residence status, educational level, and income were significantly associated with relapse. Perceived social support from family, perceived support from friends, social support, general support, individual factors, and economic factors emerged as significant predictors of substance use relapse. Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to the role of family and social support in preventing relapse among individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

Abstract An effective professional relationship is one of the most important skills that social workers can utilize to empower and improve the quality of life of their clients. This qualitative study aimed to understand the characteristics of an effective professional relationship from the perspective of clients of non-governmental organizations. Participants were women over 20years old who had been in contact with social workers for at least six months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. Ultimately, participants identified three main themes that influenced the professional relationship from their perspective: facilitators of the professional relationship, including kindness, punctuality, emotional control, non-judgment, active listening, understanding and follow-up, encouragement, respectful behavior, etc.; barriers and challenges to the relationship, including bad manners, threats of abandonment, false promises, breach of confidentiality, ignoring the client's speech, and disregarding the termination of the relationship, etc.; and structural conditions, including organizational resources, the power of managers, and the constant change of social workers and human resources conditions.The findings of this research will, first and foremost, help all social workers across their various fields of activity to understand clients' expectations of the professional relationship and grasp their needs in a more tangible manner. Furthermore, in subsequent steps, this research can be utilized in social worker education, professional supervision, and future research.

Abstract The present study aimed to explore the contexts and experiences of child-married girls from a psychological, social, and structural perspective, using a qualitative method and content analysis. The participants included 30 girls who had experienced marriage before the age of 18 and had gone to court to obtain a court order.These individuals were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings showed that early marriage is shaped by factors such as economic poverty, family traditionalism, structural pressures, weak emotional relationships, and immature emotional or cognitive motivations.Also, in this study, five types of child marriage were identified: family-avoiding, traditional and passive, emotional and sentimental, purposeful but immature, and structural-coercive. These types reflect the complexity and diversity of the social and cultural contexts affecting the phenomenon of child marriage.The findings emphasize the need for typology-based policymaking, strengthening girls' agency, and reforming cultural perspectives on marriage and girls' development.

Abstract This study aims to understand the role and position of first families in the guardianship of their daughter, the female head of household. To achieve the research objectives, grounded theory was used, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 33 female heads of household in Behshahr city. Open coding led to the emergence of four main categories: 1- Headship of the household; 2- Expectations of women's role from themselves; 3- Expectations of the female head of household from others; 4- Expectations of the primary family from the female head of household. The findings showed that the support of the primary family has a central influence on the role of female caregivers. After accepting the caregiver role, these women were divided into two groups. Women were placed in two paradigmatic patterns: 1- Self as an agent of change, 2- Self as a need for support. In the first paradigm, women's understanding of femininity is the ability to change in life and achieve goals. However, women in the second paradigm do not have the self-confidence necessary for independence in life, and their understanding of femininity prevents them from trying to change in life without the support of others. The findings show that the primary family influences women's self-perception and reinforces each of the two paradigms mentioned. The first families in this study are divided into two categories: control-oriented and guidance-oriented. The majority of women expected their families to live under the shadow of their father or brother.

Abstract Successful implementation of the Health Transformation Plan required special attention to the welfare and professional status of nurses. This qualitative study was conducted to analyze the challenges and barriers experienced by nurses in the implementation of this plan from the perspective of social welfare policymaking and human resource governance. Fifteen nurses and nursing managers working in public hospitals in Kerman were selected through purposive sampling, and data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out using the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis approach until theoretical saturation was achieved, and credibility was enhanced through repeated data review and alignment of themes with participants’ lived experiences. The findings revealed three main axes: (1) economic welfare and job support policies, including staff shortages, high workload, and income inequality; (2) human capital retention and organizational mental health policies, including job burnout, exposure to trauma, and lack of structured psychological support; and (3) institutional policies and equitable distribution of power, including symbolic discrimination and weak participation in decision-making. The conclusion showed that without simultaneous reform of welfare, institutional, and supportive human resource policies, the Health Transformation Plan faced erosion of human capital and a decline in service quality, and that revising human resource governance policies and establishing structured organizational mental health support were prerequisites for achieving high-quality universal health coverage

Abstract Psychiatric and neurological patients, as a marginalized and voiceless group, are often deprived of being seen and heard in society. This article aims to illuminate the hidden dimensions of patients' lives and reflect the realities of human and structural interactions within the hospital environment. To this end, an ethnographic method and participant observation technique were employed. The research field is a psychiatric and neurological hospital in northeastern Iran. The study population included social workers, nurses, support staff, security guards, and patients. Purposive sampling was conducted among individuals who played a key role in the processes of interaction with patients. The findings consist of six categories: 1- Hospital space and lack of facilities in various wards; 2- Psychiatric and neurological patients receiving support from exhausted caregivers; 3- Stigmatization in interactions with patients; 4- Segregation of patients from staff; 5- Disciplinary care: from order to violence; 6- Challenges of working with psychiatric and neurological patients. The results indicate that many conflicts, acts of violence, and inefficiencies stem from flawed, depleted, and unequal structures—structures that not only fail to provide effective support for patients but also push the healthcare staff toward the reproduction of violence, indifference, and discrimination.

Abstract The Iran-Iraq war left deep scars on countless families, particularly on the daughters who lost their fathers. Over 87,000 girls grew up without a father’s presence, navigating a world forever altered by war. Beyond the political and infrastructural consequences, the war shaped their personal and social lives in profound ways. These daughters carried silent struggles, their voices often unheard. Understanding their lived experiences is not just about acknowledging the past—it’s about learning from their resilience, recognizing their challenges, and ensuring that society does not overlook the unique burdens they have carried.

This study sought to give voice to these daughters by exploring their lived experiences through a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews with 15 women provided a deep, personal insight into their journeys. Through their narratives, common themes emerged—stories of loss, adaptation, and perseverance. Their words painted a picture of childhoods marked by both resilience and hardship, shaped by the absence of a father and the structures that sought to fill that void.

Findings reveal that, despite government support and the efforts of the Martyrs Foundation, these daughters faced struggles beyond institutional interventions. Their challenges were rooted in societal norms, traditions, and legal constraints. Their experiences spanned grief in early childhood, the presence of stepfathers, unique educational and social paths, contradictions in societal expectations, marriage struggles, custodial disputes, and ongoing social stigmas. Their realities often clashed with how society perceived them, leading to misunderstandings and emotional burdens that still shape their daily lives today.

Abstract The chronic economic crisis in recent years, by weakening purchasing power and increasing livelihood insecurity, has forced lower social groups to redefine their means of securing daily life. Among these, daily-wage construction workers, due to job instability, low wages, and weak institutional support, are more exposed to the consequences of this crisis than other groups. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the patterns of economic action adopted by construction workers in response to the ongoing economic crisis. This research employs a qualitative approach using grounded theory methodology. The field of study consisted of daily-wage construction workers active in the city of Mashhad in 2021 (Iranian year 1400). Through purposive sampling based on theoretical saturation, 14 workers were selected and studied using in-depth narrative interviews. The findings indicate that in the face of the economic crisis, construction workers employ strategies such as forcibly reducing their level of needs, shifting consumption patterns toward essentials, utilizing limited savings, and selling durable assets. Although these actions enable survival in the short term, in the long run they lead to the erosion of economic security, the weakening of support networks, a decline in quality of life, reduced satisfaction, and an increased sense of frustration. The persistence of this situation lays the groundwork for the reproduction and deepening of poverty among daily-wage construction workers.

Abstract This research conducted with the aim of configuring the role of the family in the return of the person who was in the prison return to the society. Since reintegration into society is a process that begins before the person is released from prison. After releasing from prison, they face many obstacles and problems. As if he failed, he may return to prison once again. The main question of this research is how families took part and prevent him/her from going back to prison. In this qualitative research, data collection was done through semi-structured interviews with 15 former prisoners and 13 effective members of the prisoner's family. Written interviews were coded and interpreted using thematic analysis method. In this research, 4 themes and 9 concepts were extracted. Overcoming the transition crisis, accepting, and identifying a person with a new identity, accelerating adaptation to the world outside the prison to regain social status, restoring self-esteem and playing a role outside the system are the themes that were identified under family driving factors. The reason for going to prison, or in other words, the crime for which a person has been convicted, has an effective role in his/her incarceration experience and reintegration process back to society. Although all people who get in prison are guilty as a legal perspective; people include families and relatives confront released persons from prison, based on their own prejudice of their crimes and faults.

Abstract With the spread of neoliberalism as the dominant discourse in public policy-making in recent decades, health policy-making systems have also undergone fundamental changes. This article examines the progress of neoliberal approaches in health policy-making in post-war Iran and analyzes the impact of these developments on the principles of social justice, access to services, quality of care, and health costs. Policies such as privatization, service competition, reduced government intervention, and increased market role, although in some areas have led to improved productivity and innovation in certain circumstances, have also had consequences such as increased inequality, reduced service inclusion, and economic pressure on vulnerable groups. This research is designed within the framework of a descriptive-analytical methodological strategy with a qualitative and interpretive approach and is organized based on the interpretive-critical paradigm. The unit of analysis in this research is document-oriented and system-oriented. The research data were extracted through the method of directional content analysis and using conceptual coding inspired by the fundamental concepts of neoliberalism. The findings of the research were categorized in the form of codes and subcategories under the titles of redefining health as a consumer good in the neoliberal ideological system, transforming the human body into a field of value addition, transforming the hospital into a quasi-entrepreneurial enterprise, marketization of health, and performance-oriented logic.

Abstract Marital satisfaction is one of the main components of family health, indicating the quality of emotional and communication interactions between couples and plays a fundamental role in the stability of married life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of social work interventions with a psychosocial approach on improving marital satisfaction in infertile couples. This study was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test and intervention and control groups. The statistical population of the present study was all women referring to Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran, of which 100 infertile women and 100 of their spouses completed the marital life quality questionnaire. 30 infertile couples who had the lowest marital satisfaction score according to the questionnaire were selected and then randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups of 15 people. The Graham B. Spanier Marital Quality of Life Standard Questionnaire (RDAS) was used to measure before and after the interventions. The results of the analysis of covariance showed that social work interventions with a psychosocial approach were significant in improving marital satisfaction between couples in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of this study are applicable in the field of infertility social work with an emphasis on family social work.

Abstract Childhood cancer, as a chronic and complex disease, affects not only the affected child but also all family members, especially mothers. Mothers, in their role as primary caregivers, face numerous psychological, emotional, social, and economic pressures that severely impact their quality of life and mental health. This qualitative study, employing thematic analysis, explores the lived experiences of mothers of children with cancer. Data were collected through 12 semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a three-stage coding process. The data analysis resulted in the extraction of six main themes: initial psychological reactions (such as disbelief and shock), conflicting emotional processes (hope and despair), distressing experiences and multifaceted pressures (financial, physical, social), spiritual and meaning-giving resources (trust, religious beliefs), interaction with the healthcare and service system, and social and emotional support networks. Mothers, in the course of confronting the disease, rely on strategies such as trust in God, hope, social support, and gradual acceptance of the situation to achieve psychological adaptation. The findings emphasize the necessity of designing and implementing multidimensional supportive interventions (psychological, social, spiritual, and economic) to improve mothers' mental health and empowerment. These findings can also serve as a basis for policymaking and specialized services in the fields of psychotherapy and pediatric oncology.

Abstract Abstract:
This ethnographic study examines the phenomenon of women’s mostouri (seclusion/withdrawal) in Tehran’s Shahid Harandi neighborhood, analyzing it within the framework of the area’s physical, social, and cultural transformations. Findings reveal that mostouri is not merely an individual choice or cultural constraint but the outcome of a complex structural process. In this process, power dynamics, social stigma, market mafias, spatial rezoning, and the pathologizing gaze of media/institutions collectively exclude "ordinary, healthy women" from public space. Women—particularly educated and successful ones—self-isolate at home, fearing identity erosion and social judgment, while disavowing their neighborhood identity. In contrast, "damaged" women (e.g., addicts) are hyper-visible and receive disproportionate institutional support, whereas ordinary or civically active women remain invisible in urban policies.However, the study documents women’s everyday resistance: through home-based rowzehs (religious gatherings), digital networks, cultural hubs like the Hosseinieh-ye Montazeran-e Abassaleh, and small-scale economic activities, women are reconstructing safe spaces and collective identity. Integrating theories of gender, space, and power (Lefebvre, Foucault, Goffman, Massey), the research argues that women’s urban freedom depends not only on physical safety but on spatial justice, identity recognition, and access to symbolic resources. Ultimately, it reinterprets mostouri not as weakness but as a survival strategy—and at times, a prelude to re-emergence and activism in the social sphere.

Abstract The present study is a mixed method and sequential explanatory. In the qualitative part, the statistical population includes couples with and without children with ten years of cohabitation who remained stable in their marriage despite dissatisfaction with their marital life. Using purposive sampling and based on the saturation principle, 33 people were selected. In the quantitative part, 300 dissatisfied couples with a history of at least ten years of cohabitation who had referred to family counseling centers in areas (5, 9, 11) of Mashhad were selected through cluster sampling. With this measure, relative coverage of cultural diversity in Mashhad was achieved. Data were collected in the qualitative part with in-depth interviews and open-ended questionnaires and in the quantitative part with closed-ended questionnaires. Thematic analysis method was used in the qualitative part with the help of MAXQDA software and in the quantitative part with PLS software.

Findings: Common variables between the two groups include preference for collective interests over individual interests, value crisis, reciprocity, economic power, forgiveness, commitment, and social exchanges. The main difference between the two groups is influenced by the role of childbearing or the social structure resulting from the absence of children. Also, in childless families, the stability of marital life is more dependent on the style of interactions and life skills.

Abstract Aging, as a critical stage of the life cycle, is associated with multidimensional challenges in physical, psychological, social, and economic domains that significantly affect the quality of life of older adults. Identifying and analyzing these challenges is essential for formulating effective policies and supportive programs. The purpose of this study is to identify and design a comprehensive model of aging challenges in Iran using a meta-synthesis approach. This qualitative study reviewed scientific research articles on aging in Iran published between 2009 and 2024. Data were collected from reputable databases, including SID, the Iranian Humanities Portal, Noormags, and MagIran. A total of 283 articles were examined, of which 22 qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for final analysis. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA24, resulting in the extraction of 153 conceptual codes, which were organized into nine core categories. These categories include: physical illnesses, elderly care, psychological and cognitive problems, family-related challenges, healthcare challenges, cultural challenges, economic challenges, urban access issues, and legal abuse. The findings indicate that through comprehensive and innovative policymaking, aging can be transformed from a critical stage into an opportunity for active social participation and the transfer of valuable experiences to future generations, thereby effectively managing the challenges ahead.

Abstract Social work is one of the helping professions that serve vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. To provide effective services to these groups and to empower them, it is essential that social workers have an appropriate quality of work life. Accordingly, this study was designed and conducted to examine the quality of work life of social workers. The research method was quantitative, and a survey approach was employed. The statistical population comprised all social workers employed in mission-oriented organizations in Tehran. Based on the sampling method, 380 individuals were selected, and data were collected using a questionnaire. The findings indicate that the quality of work life of social workers in the studied population is slightly below average. Furthermore, the quality of work life is significantly related to marital status, level of education, employing organization, and employment history, while no significant relationship was found with gender or type of university degree. In addition, the findings show that the dimensions of quality of work life explain 71 percent of the overall quality of work life index of social workers. Based on these results, improving the quality of work life of social workers can be considered one of the key strategies for policymakers and managers to enhance service effectiveness for clients and to improve governance in addressing social problems and harms.

Abstract This research aims to gain insight into an understanding of sport social work, and its target groups, practice domains, professional roles, principles and values, through a scoping review to explore the concept of sport social work on August 19, 2024, across international (e.g., Scopus, WOS) and national (e.g., Noormags, SID, Magiran, ISC) databases, the Sport Social Work Journal, search engines and relevant websites, without time restrictions. Ultimately, 73 scientific records were identified. The sampling process involved reviewing the titles and abstracts of the identified documents. Documents were included if titles or abstracts addressed both social work and sport/athletes, while sport-based interventions for non-athlete, non-English, or inaccessible full texts were excluded. The research findings indicate that sport social work is emerging as a new field in education, research, professional interventions, sports internships, and policymaking. The professional roles of sport social workers are classified into three levels: micro, mezzo, and macro. At the micro level, they fulfill roles such as counselor, supporter, therapist, empowerer, and educator. At the mezzo level, act as mediators, coaches, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, group therapists, supporters, and empowerers of sports coaches. At the macro level, take on roles such as policymakers, developers of community sports programs, guides, social activists, social planners, and social organizers. Notably, in Iran, no scientific studies have been conducted in the field of sport social work and this research, aims to introduce a novel perspective for social workers in Iran to engage in education, research, and practical activities in the field of sports.

Abstract The problem of child labor is a significant concern that disrupts the health of a society. To address this problem, various policies have been developed and implemented globally. In Iran, several initiatives have also been undertaken to tackle this problem. However, the implementation of the "Street Children Organization" regulation, approved in 2005, as the latest regulation in this area, has failed to reduce the number of child laborer’s aim of this study is to examine the barriers to reducing child labor based on the Stufflebeam decision-making and accountability evaluation approach. In this regard, the requirements and indicators of the mentioned regulation were first extracted. Then, using semi-structured interviews, the implementation of these requirements was assessed. These interviews were conducted with individuals involved in implementing the regulation. The findings of the study indicate that the implementation of the "Street Children Organization" regulation faced obstacles such as economic instability, high inflation, unemployment, the inability to monitor the informal economic sector, interdepartmental discoordination, budgetary and financial resource constraints in the Welfare Organization, uncontrolled and illegal international migration, and the absence of appropriate governmental policies in the field of migration. Promoting the discourse of eliminating child labor and increasing the participation of NGOs are among the main policy recommendations of this study to overcome the barriers to implementing the regulation.

Abstract This study aimed to identify the challenges of providing psychosocial services to older people residents in care homes. It examined the barriers to delivering services to both dependent and independent older people residents.
This qualitative research was interpreted using the thematic analysis method. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 psychosocial service providers in Tehran, reaching saturation.
The challenges of providing services to dependent older people residents included two themes and five concepts. The themes of service providers’ physicality-oriented approach and the physical and psychological limitations of dependent older people residents highlighted the neglect of their psychological needs.
In the case of independent older people residents, three themes and 14 concepts emerged. These themes included lack of family support, disorder in the service delivery process, and resistance from the older people . Although it was expected that better psychosocial services could be provided to this group, family non-cooperation reduced service delivery efficiency. Moreover, the service delivery process lacked adherence to proper service principles, which further intensified the resistance of older people residents.
The challenges experienced by service providers in the process of care delivery included weaknesses in service methods, interaction approaches, dominant perspectives in service provision, and limited creativity in engaging with older people residents. Additionally, moving beyond a purely physical approach to service delivery remains challenging. Psychosocial rehabilitation has yet to find a significant place in care home services for the older people , with services remaining predominantly within the scope of medical rehabilitation.

Abstract Parental support and involvement are recognized as essential elements in the education and development of deaf children. Parental participation positively influences the overall well-being of their deaf children. This study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of hearing mothers regarding the opportunities and challenges of raising a deaf child. The study population consisted of all mothers of deaf students in Qom during the 2024–2025 academic year. The sample included eleven mothers, selected based on theoretical saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and participants’ lived experiences were explored. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi’s method. Following thematic extraction and categorization, the results were organized into five main themes: parental acceptance of the child, parental awareness, early intervention, communication skills, and emotional expression. Overall, the analysis of the lived experience of hearing mothers with deaf children showed that they are affected by their child’s deafness in various ways, and that the child’s condition can affect the psychological well-being of the parents. Therefore, these categories can be used to develop educational programs to improve the psychological well-being of parents with deaf children.