Iraqi Journal of Psychological Counseling

Abstract: This research aimed to identify the effectiveness of a counseling program using
behavioral activation in reducing digital stress among university students. The
verification was conducted through a number of null hypotheses formulated by the
researcher. To achieve the research objective, the digital stress scale developed by Hall
et al. (2021) was adopted. The psychometric properties of the scale were confirmed
through its application to a research sample of 400 students, with a reliability coefficient
of 0.82. For the intervention, an experimental design was employed with two groups—an
experimental group and a control group—using pre-test and post-test measures. The
researcher constructed a counseling program based on the behavioral activation method, consisting of 12 sessions covering various topics. After administering the post-test to both
groups, the results revealed statistically significant differences at the
0.05 level in favor of the experimental group. This indicates the effectiveness of the
behavioral activation- based counseling program in reducing digital stress among
university students. The study concludes with a set of recommendations and proposals

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a mindfulness-based counseling program on
reducing selective abstraction among female university students. Specifically, it examined the effect
of the independent variable (mindfulness) on the dependent variable (selective abstraction). To achieve
these objectives, the researcher developed a selective abstraction scale based on the theory of Freeman
et al. (2004). The scale consisted of 12 items, each with five response alternatives, and its psychometric
properties were verified. The initial sample for identifying levels of selective abstraction comprised
200 students. The researcher then developed a 10-session counseling program, which was
implemented with a sample of 20 students divided into two groups. Following the program's
implementation, data were analyzed using SPSS. The results indicated a significant positive effect of
the counseling program. Based on these findings, the researcher presented a number of
recommendations and suggestions.

Abstract: This study sought to determine the effect of a guidance program based on cognitive
restructuring on the development of the relational self among middle school female students, by testing
the validity of its null hypotheses. The researcher used a relational self-scale she developed in 2025,
comprising 20 items. Face validity was established by presenting the scale to a panel of expert judges,
and construct validity was verified. Reliability was assessed using the test-retest method and by
calculating Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. The cognitive restructuring program, designed
to develop the relational self, consisted of 10 sessions, each lasting 45 minutes, held twice a week over five weeks. To ensure the program's validity, it was reviewed by a group of specialists in psychological
counseling, who confirmed its suitability for fostering relational self-development. The researcher
arrived at the following results:
1. There were statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level between the pre-test and posttest scores of the experimental group on the relational self-scale.
2. There were no statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level between the pre-test and
post-test scores of the control group on the relational self-scale.
3. There were statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level between the post-test scores
of the experimental and control groups on the relational self-scale, in favor of the
experimental group. In light of these results, the researcher presented several
recommendations and proposals.

Abstract: This research aimed to identify the level of unemployment anxiety among middle school
female students and the significance of differences in this anxiety based on their specialization
(scientific vs. humanities). To achieve these objectives, the researcher adopted the scale developed by
Al-Jubouri and Talaq (2020), which consists of 32 items with three response alternatives. Face validity
was verified by presenting the scale to a group of experts and arbitrators specializing in educational psychology and psychological counseling. The agreement rate was 100% to retain the scale items as
they were, with a fourth alternative added to suit the sample's age group. Scale reliability, verified
using the test-retest method, reached 0.823. The scale was applied to a research sample of 100 middle
school female students. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS). The results showed that unemployment anxiety was present among the students, and that the
statistical differences in anxiety levels between students in scientific and humanities specializations
were not significant at the 0.05 level. Accordingly, the researcher presented a set of conclusions,
recommendations, and proposals.

Abstract: This research aimed to: identify the levels of workplace dignity and meaning of life among
nurses; identify differences in workplace dignity based on gender (male-female); identify differences
in the meaning of life based on gender; and determine the extent to which workplace dignity
contributes to predicting the meaning of life among nurses. A descriptive correlational methodology
was employed. The research sample consisted of 400 male and female nurses in Baghdad Governorate.
Two scales were constructed for the research variables, and their validity and reliability were
confirmed. The reliability coefficient, using Cronbach's Alpha, was 0.816 for the workplace dignity
scale and 0.914 for the meaning of life scale. The results indicated that: nurses possess a high,
statistically significant level of workplace dignity; a high, statistically significant level of meaning in
life; there were no differences in workplace dignity based on gender; there were no differences in the
meaning of life based on gender; and workplace dignity directly and positively contributes to
predicting the meaning of life at a significance level of 0.05 among nurses. The results were interpreted
according to the theoretical frameworks adopted in the current research, which concluded with relevant
recommendations and proposals.

Abstract: This research aimed to identify:
1. The causes of school dropout among middle school students from the perspective of educational counselors.
2. The significance of differences in school dropout rates based on gender and years of service among counselors.The research population included all educational counselors working at the middle school level. For the research instrument, the researcher employed the scale developed by Al-Ghanimi (2016), which consists of 33 items distributed across four domains. The psychometric properties of the scale were established, demonstrating face validity and reliability. Reliability, calculated using the split-half method with the Pearson correlation coefficient, was 0.84, and Cronbach\'s alpha coefficient was 0.88. The researcher concluded that the factors contributing to increased school dropout among middle school students are confined to four primary domains. Furthermore, the results indicated that the differences in perceived causes of dropout based on the gender variable were not statistically significant. In light of these findings, the researcher offered a number of recommendations and proposals.

This study aimed to identify: the propensity for forgiveness among educational counselors; the
significance of differences in this propensity based on gender (male, female); and the significance of
differences based on employment type (contract, permanent staff). To achieve these objectives, the
researcher employed the Hartland scale, translated by (Al-Jubouri, 2019), which consists of 18 items,
each with five response alternatives. The sample consisted of 234 male and female counselors, selected
using Stephen Thompson's formula. The psychometric properties of the scale were confirmed, with a
test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.828 and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.871. Data were
analyzed using the SPSS statistical package.
The results indicated that educational counselors exhibit a propensity for forgiveness. Significant
differences were found based on gender, in favor of males, and based on employment type, in favor of
permanent staff. In light of these findings, the researcher presented a number of recommendations and
suggestions.

among adolescents and young adults, as well as the influence of this mental image on enhancing
motivation. The study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional correlational design, with a sample of 200
adolescents and young adults, distributed by gender. Two scales were developed: one to measure the
mental image of a hero (8 items) and another to assess the level of motivation for success (8 items).
The reliability and validity of both scales were verified using established statistical methods.
Results revealed a positive, statistically significant correlation between the mental image of a hero and
motivation for success. A more positive hero image was associated with higher motivation levels,
whereas a less positive image was linked to moderate or low motivation. Furthermore, the findings
indicated no significant differences between males and females, suggesting that the influence of
positive role models on motivation for success is comparable across genders. The study concludes that the mental image of a hero serves as a powerful motivational factor for achieving success among
adolescents and young adults, underscoring the importance of promoting positive role models in
educational and social contexts

This research aimed to identify giftedness anxiety among students of schools for the gifted and to
ascertain statistically significant differences in this anxiety based on the variables of gender and
educational stage (intermediate vs. preparatory). The study was limited to students of gifted schools inthe Baghdad Education Directorate, Al-Rusafa/3, from both genders, for the 2024-2025 academic year.
To achieve its objectives, the researcher adopted the Giftedness Anxiety Scale developed by (Jamal
Al-Layl, 2017), which consists of 35 items in its final form. Each item is scored on a scale of 1 to 3
("a little" to "a lot"), with weights assigned positively (3,2,1) or negatively (1,2,3) as appropriate. The
scale was reviewed by four experts in educational and psychological sciences. It was administered to
a randomly selected sample of 100 students with equal distribution.
The findings revealed that: 1) The mean score of the research sample was higher than the hypothetical
mean, indicating that the sample individuals experience giftedness anxiety. 2) There were no
statistically significant differences in giftedness anxiety based on gender or educational stage.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) strategy in developing critical thinking skills among students at the University of Baghdad. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, where a sample of (156) students from different majors (scientific and humanities) and academic levels (first–fourth year) was selected. The participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group taught using the PBL strategy and a control group taught using traditional methods. The Watson–Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) was employed as the main instrument to measure five dimensions of critical thinking: analysis, inference and deduction, interpretation and evaluation, decision-making and problem-solving, and creativity and innovation.
The results indicated that the application of the PBL strategy significantly enhanced students’ critical thinking across all dimensions, with no statistically significant differences attributed to gender, academic major, or academic year. Based on these findings, the study recommends integrating PBL into university curricula and providing training for faculty members to implement it effectively, thereby improving the quality of higher education in Iraq.

This study aimed to identify the effect of a counseling program based on behavioral activation in developing work passion among university counselors and to determine the effect size achieved. The researcher developed a Work Passion Scale based on the theory of Vallerand and Houlfort (2019), comprising 30 items. A sample of 150 counselors and liaison members from the colleges of the University of Diyala was selected. The psychometric properties of the scale were established, and its validity was verified through test-retest and Cronbach's alpha methods. From this pool, 20 individuals who scored below the hypothetical mean (90) on the Work Passion Scale were selected. A quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups was used; the sample was divided into two groups of 10 each, and equivalence between the groups was confirmed. The counseling program consisted of 12 sessions.
Using appropriate statistical methods with SPSS, the results showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group's post-test scores. Significant differences were also found between the experimental and control groups in the post-test. The calculated t-value for the post-test comparison on the Work Passion Scale was 9.50, indicating a highly significant statistical difference between the group means in favor of the experimental group. The effect size (d = 4.25) is considered very large. Based on these results, the researcher offered a set of recommendations and proposals.

Preventive coping is a proactive approach aimed at preparing for future situations or threats by continuously building and developing personal resources. This helps reduce exposure to stressful events and fosters positive adaptation, personal growth, and professional development.
The present study aims to identify the level of preventive coping among educational counselors and the significance of differences based on gender (male–female) and years of service (10 years or less vs. 11 years or more). The research sample consisted of 315 educational counselors from primary and secondary schools across Baghdad's six directorates, selected randomly from both genders.
To achieve the research objectives, the Preventive Coping scale, derived from the Psychological Coping Inventory (PCI) developed by Greenglass et al. (1999) based on Schwarzer's theory and translated into Arabic by Jaber Mohammed Abdullah (2006), was used. The scale contains 10 items, with responses ranging from 1 to 4 (reversed for negative items). The psychometric properties of the instrument were verified.
The results showed that educational counselors possess a level of preventive coping. Statistically significant differences were found based on years of service and gender, favoring those with more than 11 years of service and males. The results are discussed within the theoretical framework and previous studies, with relevant recommendations and suggestions provided.

The current research aims to identify:
1.
The level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers in the Centre of Kirkuk governorate.
2.
Differences in the level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers according to the gender variable (male–female).
3.
Differences in the level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers according to years of service (less than 5 years – more than 5 years).
The researcher selected the research sample using a random method with equal distribution, amounting to 120 teachers (60 male and 60 female) randomly selected from schools in the Centre of Kirkuk governorate. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher constructed a measure of moral competence. After extracting the psychometric characteristics of the scale, its final form consisted of 28 items. Statistical methods were used: (T-test for one sample and two independent samples). The research results found:
1.
A high level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers in the Centre of Kirkuk governorate.
2.
No difference in the level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers according to the gender variable (male-female).
3.
No difference in the level of moral competence among preparatory school teachers according to the variable years of service (less than 5 years) and (more than 5 years).
Based on the results of the research, the researcher presented a set of recommendations and proposals.

The current research aims to:
Understand the correlation between psychological resilience and coping with life stress among middle school students by verifying the validity of the following hypotheses:
1.
Level of psychological resilience in middle school.
2.
Significance of differences in the level of psychological resilience among middle school students by gender (males vs. females).
3.
Significance of differences in the level of psychological resilience among middle school students by specialization (scientific vs. literary).
4.
Level of coping with life stress among middle school students.
5.
Significance of differences in the level of coping with life stress among middle school students by gender (males vs. females).
6.
Significance of differences in the level of coping with life stress among middle school students by specialization (scientific vs. literary).
7.
Identify the correlation between psychological resilience and coping with life stress among middle school students.
To achieve the research objectives, the researchers adopted the (Suleiman 2021) scale to measure psychological resilience, consisting of 26 items, and then applied it to a statistical analysis sample of 400 male and female students.
As for the life stress scale, the researchers constructed a life stress scale according to the Lazarus definition, consisting of 35 items in its final form, and then applied it to a statistical analysis sample of 400 male and female students. The researchers used the descriptive approach and the StatisticalPackage for Social and Psychological Sciences (SPSS) to arrive at the desired results in the research procedures.
The researchers reached a set of results, namely:
1.
Preparatory school students have a high degree of psychological resilience.
2.
There were statistically significant differences in the level of psychological resilience according to the gender variable, in favor of males.
3.
There were statistically significant differences in the level of psychological resilience according to the variable of specialization (scientific vs. literary).
4.
The results showed that the sample members have the ability to cope with life stress.
5.
There were statistically significant differences in the level of coping with life stress at the preparatory stage, by gender, in favor of females.
6.
Statistically significant differences were found in the level of coping with life stress according to the field of specialization (scientific vs. literary), in favor of the scientific specialization.
7.
There is a positive correlation between psychological resilience and coping with life stress.
In light of the results, the researchers presented a set of recommendations and proposals.

The core value that an educational counselor should possess in interactions with others is kindness, especially with students. It is a given that one cannot be compassionate and kind to others without developing and practicing it within themselves. Educational counselors who understand the importance of self-care and prioritize self-kindness behaviors find they are able to manage work pressures, as performing their duties requires good mental health. Therefore, the current research aims to reveal the level of kindness and the significance of differences in kindness among educational counselors in counseling work according to the gender variable (males - females). The research scale consisted of 23 items in its final form. The reliability coefficient using the retest method was 0.74, and the reliability coefficient using Cronbach\\' alpha was 0.70. The current research was limited to educational counselors for the academic year 2025/2026. The research population consisted of 2899 male and female counselors, and the research sample included 400 male and female counselors. The researcher adopted the descriptive approach and applied the kindness scale to the research sample. The results revealed that educational counselors possess kindness, and females outperform males in kindness. In light of the research results, some recommendations and suggestions were presented.

The current study aimed to identify the effectiveness of rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) in reducing false presence among middle school students. This was validated through a number of null hypotheses developed by the researcher. To achieve the study's objective, the researcher adopted the False Presence Scale, developed by Mahmoud (2017), and verified the scale's psychometric properties by applying it to a research sample of 200 students. Construct validity indicators were calculated, as well as the reliability coefficient using the test-retest method, which reached 0.87. Regarding the guidance program, an experimental design was adopted with two groups, experimental and control, with pre- and post-tests. The researcher constructed a guidance program according to the rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) method, relying on Albert Ellis's theory, with 8 guidance sessions covering various topics. After applying the post-test to members of the experimental and control groups, the results showed statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level in favor of the experimental group. This indicates the effectiveness of the REBT method in reducing false presence among middle school students. The research came up with a set of recommendations and proposals.

The topic of religious commitment and mental health is among the most significant subjects that have received focus from psychologists in general and mental health specialists in particular, who have become more aware of the necessity of studying religion due to its clear impact on mental health. The importance of the study lies in the need to understand the

The current research aims to identify the effect of Galen\\'s strategy on the achievement of the general Arabic language subject and the development of creative thinking among students of basic education colleges. The research sample consisted of 159 male and female students from the original population, distributed into two sections to represent section (A) as the experimental group and section (B) as the control group, with 80 male and female students in the experimental group that studied literature using Galen\\'s strategy for guided imagination and 79 male and female students in the control group that studied by the regular method. The researcher balanced the students of the two groups in the research variables: chronological age calculated in months, intelligence test, and creative thinking test. The researcher formulated the behavioral objectives and prepared the model teaching plans for the two groups, and prepared an achievement test consisting of 30 multiple-choice items. After procedures for finding the difficulty, validity, and reliability of the test, the test became ready for application. The experiment continued for 8 weeks, during which the researcher taught the students of the two groups (experimental and control). After applying the experiment, the researcher used the (t-Test). After analyzing the research results, which indicated the presence of a statistically significant difference in favor of the experimental group that was taught according to Galen\\'s strategy for guided imagination in the Arabic language subject and the development of creative thinking, and in light of the results reached by the researcher, she put forward some conclusions and recommended some recommendations and suggestions.