Iraqi Journal of Psychological Counseling

Abstract: This research aimed to identify the effect of the responsibility-building approach on developing emotional confidence among university students by testing several null hypotheses. This research was limited to male students in public morning colleges for the academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. To achieve the research objectives and verify its hypotheses, the researcher adopted the experimental method. The research population was 15,879 students, with a total research sample of 700 students: 400 for scale development and 200 for the final application. A purposive sample of 20 students who scored low on the emotional confidence scale was selected. The researcher then randomly distributed the students into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, with 10 students in each. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher followed these procedures: 1) Adopting the emotional confidence scale by (Saddam, Jaber, 2016), which in its final form consists of 42 items. 2) The counseling program: Building a counseling program based on the responsibility-building method according to scientific steps. Needs were identified based on the theoretical framework and the significance of the scale items. The program was presented to a group of arbitrators and consisted of 14 counseling sessions. The researcher then followed an experimental design (experimental group and control group with pre- and post-tests). After verifying the equivalence of the two groups in mediating variables with a direct effect on the experiment\'s results, and matching the groups based on pre-test results, the researcher applied the program to the two experimental groups over 14 sessions, held twice a week for each group over 45 days from Sunday, 29/10/2023, to Wednesday, 13/12/2023. The researcher then administered the post-test to the two groups. The results of this research revealed the following: 1) University students have a low level of emotional confidence. 2) There is an effect of the responsibility-building approach on developing emotional confidence. In light of the research results, the researcher recommended and proposed several points.

This study aimed to explore cognitive agility and its relationship to psychological flexibility among faculty members in Iraqi universities through field research. To achieve the objectives of this study, we adopted the correlational descriptive method, focusing on a random sample of 150 professors from Iraqi universities. To collect data, the researcher developed two scales to measure cognitive agility and psychological flexibility among faculty members, extracting the necessary psychometric properties. After applying the research tools, the study reached the following results:
1. There is a level of cognitive agility among faculty members in Iraqi universities.
2. There are no statistically significant differences in cognitive agility among faculty members in Iraqi universities based on gender (males - females).
3. There is a level of psychological flexibility among faculty members in Iraqi universities.
4. There are no statistically significant differences in psychological flexibility among faculty members in Iraqi universities based on gender (males - females).
5. There is a statistically significant relationship between cognitive agility and psychological flexibility among faculty members in Iraqi universities.

The present research aimed to identify:

1. The level of forgiveness among university students.
2. The level of psychological well-being among university students.
3. The correlational relationship between forgiveness and psychological well-being among university students.
To achieve these objectives, a sample of 374 male and female students from the University of Baghdad was selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method. The Forgiveness Scale by Berry et al. (2005), consisting of 10 items, was translated and adopted. Additionally, the short version of Ryff\'s Psychological Well-Being Scale (1989), adapted by García et al. (2023) and consisting of 18 items, was translated and adopted. After extracting the psychometric properties of both scales for validity and reliability, the two tools were applied to the research sample. The results showed that university students exhibit forgiveness and possess all dimensions of psychological well-being. The results also revealed a positive correlational relationship between forgiveness and the dimensions of psychological well-being. Based on these results, the research concluded with a set of recommendations and proposals.

School dropout is a significant problem facing society and schools, as it affects a group of young students who find themselves on the streets. The dropout phenomenon is a problem suffered by the entire world in general and Arab countries in particular, with negative repercussions on society through increased educational waste, which in turn hinders development plans. According to a UNICEF report issued in 2023, about 30% of Iraqi children do not complete their primary education, and the situation becomes more critical at the secondary level, where dropout rates approach 45% in some areas, with female dropout at 11.4% and male dropout at 5.4%. The problem of school dropout is one of the educational issues that has not yet been fully studied and researched, due to a number of social, economic, and educational factors leading to adolescents\' truancy from school. These include freelance work for livelihood, preoccupation with social media and electronic games, and the phenomenon of the spread of internet cafes (coffee shops), which have attracted adolescents for entertainment and spending leisure time, greatly impacting their low achievement and attempts to escape school duties. The current study aimed to identify the psychological and social repercussions of coffee shops on school dropout among adolescents. The purposive study sample comprised 100 males only, aged 13-18, who frequent coffee shops. To achieve the study\'s goal, a questionnaire consisting of 18 items was prepared and applied to the mentioned research sample. The study yielded the following results, which represent the highest responses obtained: (\'to spend leisure time away from school pressures\') and (\'feeling relief from difficult curriculum\' / \'for entertainment and amusement\'), with response rates ranging between 93% - 85%. The remaining items received lower percentages. The study concluded with a set of recommendations and proposals.

This research aims to identify the degree of academic adjustment and its relationship to exam anxiety among secondary school students. The researcher adopted the correlational descriptive method as the most appropriate for the nature and objectives of the research. The research sample consisted of 200 male and female secondary school students. Two standardized tools were used to measure the variables of academic adjustment and exam anxiety. The results showed that students enjoy a high degree of academic adjustment and do not exhibit significant exam anxiety. The results also indicated a strong inverse correlational relationship between academic adjustment and exam anxiety, suggesting that increased academic adjustment contributes to lowering exam anxiety levels among students. The research concluded with a number of findings and recommendations emphasizing the importance of supporting academic adjustment as a protective factor that contributes to improving students\' mental health and academic achievement.

The current research aimed to identify academic boredom among high-achieving students and the significance of differences in academic boredom according to gender (males, females). To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted the academic boredom scale based on Pekrun\'s control-value theory, constructed by (Znu & Matos, 2021). The scale consisted of 10 items and five alternatives. The researcher selected a sample of 329 high-achieving students to extract the psychometric properties of the scale. The validity of the scale was verified by extracting discrimination indices, item-total correlations, and correlation matrices, as well as reliability through two methods: test-retest and Cronbach\'s alpha. A sample of 200 students was selected to achieve the research objectives using a simple random method. The results showed that the sample members do not experience academic boredom, and there are no differences between males and females in academic boredom. In light of the results, the researcher developed a set of recommendations and proposals.

The current research aimed to identify the impact of the Decentering technique on altering catastrophic thinking among individuals considering divorce. To achieve this goal, the researchers constructed a Catastrophic Thinking Scale based on Beck's Cognitive Therapy theory. After verifying the psychometric properties of the scale, it was applied to a research sample of 200 males considering divorce, selected randomly from Personal Status Courts in Basra Governorate. Ten individuals who scored the highest on the catastrophic thinking scale were selected and randomly distributed into a control group and an experimental group. Equivalence between the two groups was established. Both groups underwent a pre-test. Subsequently, the experimental group was exposed to a counseling program based on the Decentering technique, while the control group was not exposed to any activity or program. After completing the counseling program, the experimental group underwent a post-test. The researchers arrived at the following results: 1) There are statistically significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results of the experimental group. Therefore, the researchers reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis, which states that there are statistically significant differences for the experimental group between the pre-test and post-test. 2) There are statistically significant differences between the post-test results of the experimental group and the control group, indicating statistically significant differences between the two groups. Comparing the rank sums of the two groups showed that the differences favored the experimental group, as the rank sum for the experimental group was 15.00, which is smaller than the rank sum for the control group of 40.00. Based on these results, the researchers concluded with a set of recommendations and proposals.

The current research aimed to measure self-promotion among educational counselors. To achieve this purpose, the researcher constructed a self-promotion scale consisting of 20 items. It was applied to a sample of 338 educational counselors. The descriptive method was followed, and the results were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that educational counselors possess self-promotion. In light of the results, recommendations and suggestions were presented.

The current research aimed to identify academic resilience, positive self-perception among graduate students, and the correlational relationship between the two variables. To achieve the objectives of the current research, the researchers adopted the academic resilience scale prepared by (Martin, 2013) and the positive self-perception scale prepared by (Al-Halfi, 2020). The researchers verified the psychometric properties of the two scales. The two scales were applied to a research sample of 70 male and female graduate students in the College of Education for Humanities. The results showed statistically significant differences on the academic resilience scale in favor of the arithmetic mean, as well as statistically significant differences on the positive self-perception scale in favor of the arithmetic mean. Concerning the third objective, the results indicated a strong positive relationship between the two variables.

With the rapid expansion of interactive artificial intelligence applications, intelligent chatbots such as ChatGPT and Replika have become an increasingly significant part of individuals' lives, particularly in psychological, social, and educational aspects. This research aims to analyze the potential psychological impacts (both positive and negative) of these applications on users, exploring how they affect social relationships and human interaction, emotional dependency on AI, and how the effects of AI vary across cultures. This is achieved through a systematic review of recent studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2020 and 2024. Due to the novelty of this phenomenon in the Arab context and the lack of reliable local field data, the study adopted a theoretical analytical methodology, relying on an analysis of international scientific literature that addresses the relationship between humans and intelligent chat applications in their psychological, social, and emotional dimensions. The analytical results concluded that intelligent chat applications have positive psychological effects, including alleviating feelings of anxiety and loneliness. However, excessive use can lead to emotional dependency and social isolation. It was also found that relationships with AI can take on deep emotional dimensions, reaching, in some cases, one-sided romantic feelings. On a cultural level, studies showed variation among societies in accepting this type of interaction, with Asian cultures appearing more open, while Western environments displayed a degree of reservation. The research recommended the importance of conscious and disciplined use of these applications and the necessity of integrating them into educational and psychological contexts under specialist supervision, along with expanding future field studies in Arab societies.

The research aimed to identify the effect of the Fixed-Role technique on reducing confirmation bias among university students. To achieve this, the researcher selected 400 students for the final application and adopted the Confirmation Bias Scale (Shanan, 2020), which comprises 28 items. The scale was then finally applied to the sample individuals. From these, 20 students who scored the highest on confirmation bias were selected as the experimental sample. The researcher then divided the experimental sample into two groups (experimental and control). After applying the program based on the Fixed-Role technique, built according to Kelly's theory, the results showed statistically significant differences in the level of confirmation bias between the experimental and control groups and a noticeable decrease in scores in favor of the experimental group.

the successful school administration is not limited to managing daily activities only, but rather plays a vital pioneering role in addressing educational problems, foremost among them being school dropout. This role is achieved through the integration of efforts among the school, family, and community. Additionally, it involves collaboration with concerned parties and organizations to provide extra support such as scholarships or social protection programs, thereby creating a sustainable educational environment that reduces dropout rates and supports students’ futures.
This is accomplished through comprehensive and multi-faceted strategies focusing on improving the educational environment, developing leadership skills for principals and teachers, and enhancing community cooperation.
The pioneering role of successful school administration has a significant positive impact on addressing this phenomenon by assuming several leadership roles that contribute to reducing dropout rates. As a result, a sustainable educational environment can be established, meeting the students’ needs, ensuring their continuous enrollment, and decreasing dropout rates.
The research also highlights the importance of effective leadership in motivating students and teachers, as well as the role of administration in building partnerships with the local community and parents to ensure continued academic achievement. Moreover, it discusses innovative solutions such as distance learning and support programs for alternative and blended education.

Psychological trauma is an event that overwhelms our natural ability to cope with situations, where we could neither escape nor fight. Undoubtedly, environmental factors influence an individual's development—psychologically, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally—throughout all stages of life. Within the human personality, neural networks store an individual's childhood memories and experiences. It appears that psychological pressures bring about traumas, one after another. These pressures are events beyond the individual's control, placing them in an unusual situation, imposing exceptional demands, or threatening them in some way. They are the difficulties and events that cause an individual tension or pose a threat. Therefore, the concept of psychological trauma significantly impacts the human personality, which is one of the important topics comprising a set of assumptions and theories that collectively reflect human contemplations as they try to uncover the truth of their personality's composition, whether in the past or present. Consequently, those affected need guidance and psychological support to enhance good self-management in terms of modifying emotions and dealing with stress and psychological pressure, in addition to new experiences accompanied by self-efficacy to confront learned helplessness and trauma-based vulnerability, thus gaining increased self-confidence.

The current research is limited to a sample of educational counselors of both sexes (males_females) in middle and primary schools in the center of Basra Governorate for the academic year 2024/2025. The researchers selected the research sample using a simple random method, as the sample amounted to (100) male and female counselors distributed among middle and primary schools in the General Directorate of Education in Basra Governorate. To achieve the objectives of the current research, which are the first objective - measuring the level of ambition among educational counselors, and the second objective is to identify whether there are statistically significant differences in the level of ambition according to the gender variable (males_females). The researchers adopted the (Habiba 2020) scale, as the psychometric properties were found by finding logical validity with its two parts: arbitrators’ validity and sample validity as a scale. The reliability of the scale was also calculated by the retest method and the Cronbach’s alpha method, and the reliability reached (0.90) by the retest method and (0.86) by the Cronbach’s alpha method to measure the level of ambition. The data were processed using the statistical package (spss). To achieve Objectives of the current research: The study reached the following results:
_1There are statistically significant differences in the level of ambition variable for sample members in general.
_2There are no statistically significant differences between males and females.
In light of the results of the current study, the researchers make the following recommendation:
The need to address the problems facing educational counselors, as they represent an obstacle to achieving the level of ambition.

Suicide occurs in all regions of the world and at different stages of life. In particular ،suicide ranks second among the most important causes of death among young people in the age group (15-24) years worldwide (World Health Organization،2014). The researcher believes that the problem of stressful and difficult life circumstances and events is one of the problems that many societies are experiencing today because of its negative effects on all family members and threatens the entire society because it leads to an emotional setback that affects psychological and mental health and increases cases of depression ،anger ،low self-esteem ،anxiety and difficulty adapting to reality. It also affects the psychology of both parents and children ،which leads to failure to establish relationships within the family ،withdrawal from social life ،feelings of sadness ،a weak ability to confront difficult situations ،poor personal compatibility ،a sense of a gap ،chronic diseases ،and negative thoughts. This makes students expect that they are unable to achieve their future goals and that society does not accept them ،in addition to their expectation of failure to manage their daily lives and their inability to control the circumstances of their surrounding environment. All of this has led these individuals to behave in ways that do not resemble their peers from other individuals who They do not experience a positive emotional environment in their families. All of this is linked to the fact that some children ،especially sixth-grade students ،consider ways to escape these problems. Among these solutions ،a number of negative thoughts arise ،which reinforce the tendency to carry out suicidal thoughts. The situation has worsened ،with the belief that the ideal solution for these groups is to attempt or consider suicide. Therefore ،the research aimed to identify:
1-Stressful life events among students
2-The significance of statistical differences in stressful life events according to the gender variable (males،females).
3-The significance of statistical differences in stressful life events according to the specialization variable (scientific،humanities).
4-Suicidal ideation among students.
5-The significance of statistical differences in suicidal ideation according to the gender variable (males،females).
6-The significance of statistical differences in suicidal ideation according to the specialization variable (scientific،humanities).
7-The correlation between stressful life events and suicidal ideation among sixth-grade students.
Research Methodology: The researcher adopted the descriptive correlational approach in his current study،as it is the most appropriate method for this research.
The research procedures are: The current research community consists of (1530) sixth-grade preparatory students affiliated with the schools of the Al-Rifai District Education Department/General Education Directorate in Dhi Qar Governorate. The research sample was selected،amounting to (400) male and female students،with (180) male students and (220) female students for the academic year (2024-2025). To achieve the research objectives،the researcher built the research scales (stressful life events and suicidal ideation) in light of the literature،frameworks and theoretical models that explained the research variables. The stressful life events scale consisted of (22) paragraphs،while the answer alternatives had a four-tiered scale،which are (always apply to me،sometimes apply to me،rarely apply to me،never apply to me) and take the following weights when correcting the scale paragraphs (4،3،2،1) for the paragraphs that go with the direction of the variable. As for the suicidal ideation scale،it consists of (25) paragraphs. As for the answer alternatives themselves in the first variable،it takes The same correction was used،and the psychometric properties of the two scales (validity and reliability) were extracted. The data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)،The results showed the following:
1-The research sample had stressful life events.
2-There were no statistically significant differences based on gender (male،female) in stressful life events among students.
3-There were no statistically significant differences based on specialization (scientific،humanities) in stressful life events among students.
4-The current research sample was characterized by suicidal ideation.
5-There were no statistically significant differences in suicidal ideation. based on gender (male،female) among students.
6-There were no statistically significant differences in suicidal ideation based on specialization (scientific،humanities) among students.
7-There was a correlation between the two research variables،"stressful life events and suicidal ideation," among sixth-grade students.
In light of these findings،the researcher presented a set of recommendations and proposals for future research.