Keywords = self-control
Social Psychology

From ‘Me’ to ‘We’: A Structural Model of Teamwork, Empathy, and Self-Control in Promoting Couples’ Flourishing

Volume 16, Issue 61, Spring 2026, Pages 17-38

https://doi.org/10.22034/spr.2026.521321.2127

Majid Sadoughi, Ahmad Mazhabdar

Abstract Introduction: Investigating the factors that influence flourishing in marital life is crucial for reducing family problems, enhancing wellbeing, and improving positive functioning among couples. This study aimed to examine the relationship between teamwork skills, empathy, and self-control with couples’ flourishing, considering the mediating role of we-ness. Method: The statistical population consisted of married men and women aged 25 to 50 in Kashan, Iran, in 2024. A sample of 356 participants was selected using convenience sampling. Participants completed the Flourishing Scale (Butler & Kern, 2016), the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (2009), the Teamwork Skills Scale (Romero, 2022), the Self-Control Scale (Tangney et al., 2004), and the Weness Scale (TopcuUzer et al., 2021). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in Amos24. Results: SEM results indicated that the proposed model had a good fit with the data. Empathy (β = 0.280, p ≤ 0.001), self-control (β = 0.140, p ≤ 0.001), and teamwork (β = 0.269, p ≤ 0.001) directly predicted flourishing. Furthermore, weness significantly mediated the relationships of both empathy (β = 0.128, p ≤ 0.01) and teamwork (β = 0.131, p ≤ 0.01) with flourishing. However, the indirect effect of self-control on flourishing through weness was not significant. Conclusion: Based on these findings, counselors and couple therapists can strengthen teamwork skills and empathy to enhance couples’ sense of we-ness and shared identity, thereby supporting greater flourishing in their relationships.

Social Psychology

Development of a Causal Model of the Tendency to Cheat in the Exam Based on Irrational Beliefs and Self-Control with the Mediation of Anxiety

Volume 13, Issue 51, Autumn 2024, Pages 33-46

https://doi.org/10.22034/spr.2024.405289.1844

Arezou Asghari

Abstract Abstract Introduction: This research was conducted to develop a causal model of the tendency to cheat in the exam based on irrational beliefs and self-control with the mediation of anxiety. Method: This research was a descriptive-correlational study using the structural equation method. The statistical population included all the students of Kosar University in Bojnord in the academic year 2022-2023, from which 240 students were selected by random cluster sampling. The research tools were Stephens and Golbaj's (2007) academic cheating questionnaires, Jones' irrational beliefs (1968), Tanji et al.'s self-control (2004),, and Beck's anxiety (1988). Findings: The results showed a significant correlation between all variables (P<0.05). Also, helplessness against change (0.0316), expectation of approval from others (0.0444), and self-control (0.0327) explained the variance of the tendency to cheat in the exam indirectly and with the mediation of anxiety. Conclusion: The results show that irrational beliefs and self-control affect the tendency to cheat with the mediation of anxiety. According to the obtained indices and coefficients, it can be concluded that the proposed model for developing the causal model of academic cheating tendency is suitable and the data has a good fit with the research model.