Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: This study investigates the predictive relationship between virtual network usage and both brand loyalty and purchasing decision-making styles among consumers in Tehran. 
Method: The study population comprised customers visiting Ofogh Kourosh chain stores in Tehran during the first half of 1402 (Iranian calendar year, equivalent to March–September 2023). Participants were selected using a combination of convenience and purposive sampling methods. This research adopted a descriptive-correlational design, with data analyzed using SmartPLS software. Data collection utilized two researcher-developed questionnaires by Saffarinia (1403)—one assessing brand loyalty and the other virtual network usage—alongside the Consumer Purchasing Decision-Making Styles questionnaire by Sproles and Kendall (1986). Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while inferential statistics, including regression analysis, were employed to test the research hypotheses. 
Results: The findings revealed that virtual social network usage significantly predicts both brand loyalty and purchasing decision-making styles (p < 0.05). 
Conclusion: These results underscore the influential role of virtual networks in shaping brand loyalty and consumer purchasing styles, emphasizing the critical importance of digital communication in contemporary marketing and business strategies. This study contributes to the expanding literature on social networks’ impact on consumer behavior and highlights their distinctive significance in modern marketing contexts. 

Abstract Introduction: This study investigates the prediction of drug abuse tendency among students based on academic alienation, family functioning, and academic procrastination, mediated by emotional intelligence. 
Method: A descriptive-correlational design was used, targeting 500 male secondary students in Bijar city (2021–2022). A sample of 217 was selected via convenience sampling (Morgan-Krejcie, 1970). Data were collected using questionnaires on drug abuse tendency (Johnson, 1989), academic alienation (Dillon & Gruet, 1976), family functioning (Epstein et al., 1983), academic procrastination (Solomon & Rothblum, 2013), and emotional intelligence (Bradbury & Greaves, 2004), analyzed via path analysis in SPSS (Version 24) and AMOS. 
Results: Academic alienation, family functioning, and academic procrastination significantly predicted drug abuse tendency through emotional intelligence (p < 0.05), explaining 63.5%, 52.0%, and 73.1% of the variance, respectively. 
Conclusion: These factors highlight the role of academic and familial influences in drug abuse tendency, informing targeted educational interventions. 

Abstract Introduction: Love is a fundamental aspect of human experience, extensively explored in popular culture, self-help literature, and academic research. Its presence or absence significantly influences relationship satisfaction with the opposite sex and overall mental health. Although romantic love typically emerges during adolescence, limited research exists on how adolescents, particularly boys, perceive this phenomenon. This study investigates the lived experiences of romantic love among male teenagers. 
Method: This qualitative study adopted a transcendental phenomenological approach (Moustakas, 1994). Participants were purposively sampled from boys aged 17–19 living in Tehran in spring 1400 (March–June 2021), who had experienced a romantic relationship. Sampling continued until data saturation was achieved, resulting in 12 semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. 
Results: Analysis revealed five main themes—desire for new experiences, physical and psychological attractiveness, body counting, lack of commitment, and identity and self-knowledge—encompassing seventeen subcategories. 
Discussion: These findings illuminate a pattern of human experiences during adolescence, enhancing understanding of the phenomenon of romantic love among male teenagers and shedding light on this transformative developmental stage. 

Abstract I
Introduction: This study examines the relationship between helicopter parenting and adolescents’ basic psychological needs and prosocial behaviors, with gender as a moderating factor. 
Method: This descriptive-correlational study targeted all ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade students in the 2nd district of Gorgan city in 2023. A sample of 320 participants was selected using convenience sampling, determined by Morgan’s table. Data were collected with the Helicopter Parenting Questionnaire (Pistella et al., 2020), Basic Psychological Needs Scale (LaGuardia et al., 2000), and Prosocial Behaviors Scale (Penner, 2002). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the data. 
Results: Results indicated that helicopter parenting significantly predicts basic psychological needs and prosocial behaviors (p < 0.05). The adjusted coefficient of determination revealed that helicopter parenting accounted for 23% of the variance in basic psychological needs and 30% in prosocial behaviors. Additionally, gender moderated the relationship between helicopter parenting and both basic psychological needs and prosocial behaviors, with stronger effects observed among girls. 
Conclusion: These findings suggest that helicopter parenting and gender play significant roles in shaping adolescents’ basic psychological needs and prosocial behaviors, particularly among girls, offering insights for tailored interventions.  

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Pygmalion effect-based teaching for teachers in reducing emotional and behavioral disorders among Afghan immigrant students.
Method: The study was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test and follow-up design involving experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of all elementary school students aged 7 to 12 years in districts 4, 5, and 6 of Afghan autonomous schools in Isfahan City during the academic year 2022-2023. The sample was selected using multi-stage random sampling, and 30 students were chosen based on entry criteria and purposive sampling method (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). The research tool was the Rutter teacher's behavioral evaluation questionnaire, used as a pre-test. The Pygmalion-based teaching interventions were conducted over 8 one-hour training sessions, held twice a week, for the teachers of the experimental group. After the completion of the training program, the post-test was implemented; then a follow-up was done two months after the post-test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software at descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (repeated measurement analysis).
Results: The results indicate that the average scores of internalized behavioral disorders, externalized behavioral disorders, and total behavioral disorders in students decreased during the post-test and follow-up stages compared to the pre-test. There was a significant difference (p<0.001) between the pre-test scores and the post-test and follow-up scores of externalized behavioral disorders, indicating that both the effect of education and the effect of time were significant.
Conclusion: In the educational context of Afghan students living in Isfahan, teachers' perception is a key factor in reducing students' emotional and behavioral disorders. Therefore, Pygmalion effect-based interventions can be incorporated into educational programs and recommended to therapists, trainers, psychologists, and counselors.

Abstract Introduction: Exploring the factors that shape motivations, decision-making processes, and social consequences of betting provides valuable insights into this complex phenomenon. This study investigates the psychological aspects and behavioral patterns of individuals engaged in sports betting. 
Method: This research adopted a phenomenological approach. The study population comprised law enforcement personnel, academic experts, football coaches, and individuals with betting experience. Participants were selected using a snowball sampling technique, with inclusion criteria encompassing experience in online or offline betting and knowledge of monitoring betting activities. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews featuring both open-ended and closed questions, yielding 61 sub-themes and 8 main themes after 17 interviews. To ensure rigor, credibility, transferability, reliability, and confirmability were applied as quality criteria. Inter-coder reliability between two expert coders reached a 75% agreement rate. 
Results: The psychological aspects and behaviors of individuals in sports betting were organized into 61 sub-themes under 8 main themes: personal factors, life stage influences, emotional/psychological challenges, health-related issues, effective coping mechanisms, social motivations, betting incentives, and economic difficulties. 
Conclusion: The findings underscore that the psychological aspects and behaviors tied to sports betting significantly affect individuals’ mental well-being and social connections. To address the associated risks, it is recommended that educational initiatives and therapeutic interventions be developed to raise awareness of betting-related harms. Furthermore, establishing support groups could aid individuals in managing and regulating their betting habits. 

Abstract Introduction: In the body of research that has been conducted with the aim of finding factors affecting the reactions of bystanders of
Introduction: Extensive research has explored the factors influencing bystander responses to cyberbullying, yet the relationship between the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander and its impact on bystander intervention remains inconclusive. This study aimed to examine the interactive effects of the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander on the bystander’s helping intention and tendency to blame the victim. 
Method: This study employed an experimental design, manipulating the gender of the cyberbully, cybervictim, and bystander within a simulated cyberbullying scenario. Participants were college students from Tehran and Hormozghan Universities during the second semester of 2003–2004. A sample of 601 students was recruited via an online advertisement on social media. Participants completed post-test measures, including scales for bystander helping intention and victim blaming, through an online survey platform. Data were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS 27, with a significance level of 0.05. 
Results: The findings revealed a nuanced and dynamic relationship between gender and both victim blaming and bystander helping intention. Notably, female victims received higher blame attribution, while male victims were associated with lower bystander intentions to help (p < 0.05). 
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of accounting for gender-related complexities when designing prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of cyberbullying. 

Abstract Introduction: In modern societies, the distinct differences between gifted and typical students have emerged as a critical focus within education and psychology. This study seeks to compare the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, social adjustment, and friendship quality among gifted and normal students. 
Method: This study employed a descriptive, causal-comparative design. The target population consisted of all male high school students in their second cycle in Khoy city during the 2023–2024 academic year, totaling 5,936 students (5,543 normal and 393 gifted). Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 360 normal students was determined and selected via multistage random cluster sampling, while 195 gifted students were chosen through simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Basic Psychological Needs Questionnaire (La Guardia et al., 2000), the Friendship Quality Questionnaire (Hijazi & Zohrevand, 2006), and the California Personal-Social Adjustment Questionnaire (Clark et al., 1953). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to analyze the data. 
Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean scores for satisfaction of basic psychological needs, social adjustment, and friendship quality between gifted and normal students (P < 0.001). Specifically, gifted students consistently demonstrated higher levels of satisfaction with basic psychological needs, better social adjustment, and superior friendship quality compared to their normal counterparts. 
Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of addressing the basic psychological needs, social adjustment, and friendship quality of gifted students. Families, educators, school psychologists, counselors, and teachers are urged to prioritize these areas to support the well-being and development of gifted learners. 

Abstract Introduction: Extremism and violence remain critical global challenges. This study aimed to standardize a scale for measuring violent extremism and explore its correlation with the endorsement of social violence against women. 
Method: The study utilized a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of university students in Tabriz during the 2023-2024 academic year. Following Klein (2010), a sample of 417 participants (250 men and 167 women) was selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using two researcher-developed tools: a violent extremism scale and a scale measuring the endorsement of societal violence against women, both constructed and standardized in this study. Data analysis involved Pearson correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and regression techniques. 
Results: Exploratory factor analysis, employing principal component analysis with Varimax rotation, identified two factors: "endorsement of extremism" and "approval of violence and illegal methods." Together, these factors accounted for 58.42% of the total variance. The violent extremism scale demonstrated strong convergent validity with the social violence endorsement scale against women (r=0.77, P<0.01). Reliability coefficients were robust, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.89 for the overall violent extremism scale, 0.90 for the endorsement of extremism subscale, and 0.81 for the approval of violence-illegal methods subscale. Test-retest reliability was also confirmed (R=0.78). 
Conclusion: The findings establish the violent extremism scale as a valid and reliable tool for assessing attitudes in Iranian society. Individuals exhibiting violent extremist tendencies showed a significant inclination to endorse social violence against women, often justifying the use of violent and illegal means. 
 

Abstract Introduction: Adolescence is a dynamic phase marked by emotional and behavioral shifts, heightening vulnerability to external influences, increasing engagement with cyberspace and the Internet, and potentially diminishing academic performance. This study sought to examine the relationship between academic burnout and Internet addiction, with the conformity communication pattern serving as a mediator among high school students. 
Method: This study adopted a descriptive approach, utilizing a correlational design and structural equation modeling (SEM). The research population consisted of high school students in Marivan city during the 2022-2023 academic year, from which 940 students were selected via multistage cluster random sampling. Data were gathered using the Academic Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981), the Internet Addiction Inventory (Young, 1998), and the Family Communication Patterns Questionnaire (Fitzpatrick & Ritchie, 1994). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and structural equation modeling. 
Results: The analysis confirmed that the proposed model exhibited a satisfactory fit. Academic burnout demonstrated a significant positive correlation with Internet addiction and a significant negative correlation with the conformity communication pattern (p<0.05). Additionally, the conformity communication pattern showed a significant negative association with Internet addiction (p<0.05). The findings further substantiated the significant mediating role of the conformity communication pattern in the relationship between academic burnout and Internet addiction. 
Conclusion: These results underscore the pivotal mediating influence of the conformity communication pattern in linking academic burnout to Internet addiction. Based on these insights, it is advisable to develop interventions focused on enhancing family communication patterns and regulating adolescents’ Internet usage to mitigate these effects. 

Abstract Introduction: Introduction: Marital instability has emerged as a significant contributor to the erosion of family foundations over the past three decades, often culminating in divorce. Understanding the factors associated with this issue is therefore critical. This study aimed to explore the moderating role of communication patterns in the relationship between romantic perfectionism and marital instability. 
Method: This correlational study employed structural equation modeling. The research population consisted of all married men and women in Gotvand County, Khuzestan Province, in 1401 (Iranian calendar year). A sample of 203 participants (129 women and 74 men) was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Christensen and Sullaway Communication Pattern Questionnaire (1991), the Edwards Marital Instability Questionnaire (1987), and the Matte and LaFontaine Romantic Perfectionism Questionnaire (2012). The data were analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels through structural equation modeling, path analysis, and multigroup analysis, utilizing SPSS-26 and SMART PLS software. 
Results: The results revealed that the communication patterns of mutual avoidance (β=0.145, p<0.001) and expectation/withdrawal (β=0.658, p<0.001), along with other-oriented romantic perfectionism, exhibited a significant positive relationship with marital instability. Conversely, the mutual constructive communication pattern (β=-0.345, p<0.001) and self-oriented romantic perfectionism showed a significant negative relationship with marital instability. Additionally, communication patterns were found to moderate the relationship between romantic perfectionism and marital instability. 
Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that communication patterns and romantic perfectionism are key factors influencing marital instability. Consequently, it is recommended that counselors and family psychologists offer targeted training to couples to address these dynamics effectively.