https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/ Strategic Research on Social Problems en daily 1 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30399.html https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30131.html Introduction Violence against medical staff is a persistent and multifaceted challenge in contemporary healthcare systems. Its origins extend beyond individual behavior, rooted in broader social, cultural, and organizational structures. This phenomenon manifests in forms ranging from verbal aggression to physical assault with significant adverse consequences: it degrades the quality of medical services and patient satisfaction while severely impacting the psychological well-being and job motivation of healthcare workers. From a sociological perspective, violence in healthcare settings constitutes a social fact. It emerges from structural tensions, unequal power dynamics, unmet expectations, and the growing complexity of interactions between medical staff and patients or their companions. In recent years, this issue has intensified, gaining greater visibility through the rise of anti-physicianism—a social attitude marked by distrust, hostility, and a decline in the traditional symbolic respect afforded to medical professionals. Such attitudes contribute to escalating conflicts in clinical environments, complicating communication, decision-making, and the daily functioning of treatment teams. These outcomes ultimately weaken institutional performance and undermine public trust in the healthcare system. The primary goal of this research was to explore how medical staff perceive, interpret, and experience violence within hospitals and medical centers. By uncovering the underlying social dynamics, meanings, and behavioral patterns that shape such incidents, this study aimed to provide insights that can inform effective policy-making, targeted training programs, and significant organizational reforms.     Materials & Methods This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing a grounded theory approach to investigate the dynamics of violence and anti-physicianism within medical centers in Ahvaz. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 medical staff members from hospitals affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. Participants were selected via purposive sampling and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data analysis followed the systematic stages of grounded theory: open, axial, and selective coding. This analytical process revealed that violence against medical staff stemmed from the complex interplay of structural, cultural, and professional factors. These factors were conceptualized into 11 core categories: 1) normalization of violence; 2) eroding bureaucracy; 3) lack of resilience and empathy; 4) discursive contradiction; 5) transition from patriarchal to patient-centered medicine; 6) the absent doctor; 7) negative media representation; 8) medical distancing; 9) the distrust gap; 10) burnout; 11) the dilemma of leaving the profession or migrating. Together, these categories constituted the principal domains, through which the vicious cycle of anti-physicianism was reproduced.   Discussion of Results & Conclusion The interview findings demonstrated that violence against healthcare workers transcended individual or psychological explanations; it was fundamentally a manifestation of broader structural inequalities and institutional crises. This violence was sustained by an institutionalized culture embedded within wider societal norms and by dominant assumptions that normalized and justified aggression. Moreover, it was rooted in the specific social fabric of cultural regions, reflecting deep-seated systemic failures within both the healthcare system and society at large (Pavlova & Geretto, 2018). Effectively addressing this phenomenon necessitated comprehensive reforms in health policy. Key interventions included: Strengthening institutional and financial support for healthcare workers Promoting a positive and accurate public representation of their social status Criminalizing violence and developing effective legal deterrents Transitioning toward participatory, community-oriented models of doctor-patient interaction Implementing such strategies can cultivate social resilience and empathy, laying a foundation for reducing violence in clinical settings. Ultimately, violence against medical personnel is not merely an organizational or systemic dysfunction; it constitutes a profound semantic and symbolic crisis within the healthcare relationship. Responding to this complexity demands an integrated theoretical approach. This should incorporate Weber’s focus on the ethical intentions guiding actors; Derrida’s insights into the discursive hierarchies of modern medicine; Giddens’s structuration theory to understand how agents reproduce and transform systemic structures; and Parsonian principles to restore the normative balance in the doctor-patient role-set. Together, these perspectives illuminate the multilayered nature of violence in healthcare and can inform the design of significant, context-sensitive interventions. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30089.html Introduction This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving antagonism between Israel and Iran, integrating political-sociological, historical, and geopolitical perspectives. While the immediate catalyst for this inquiry is Israel's military strike on Iranian territory on 13 June 2025, the study contends that this event is not an isolated episode. Instead, it is a manifestation of deeper structural, discursive, and historical processes that have for centuries shaped collective identities, territorial imaginaries, and strategic conduct. By employing Critical Discourse Analysis alongside historical inquiry and geopolitical theory, the article elucidates how enduring narratives and ideological formations persistently inform contemporary regional dynamics.     Materials & Methods A core contribution of this study is its historical analysis of the evolution of Jewish identity with specific attention to how the religious and genealogical figure of Jacob—renamed Israel—served as the symbolic and conceptual basis for the territorial construct of the “Land of Israel”. The analysis traces the transformation of this religious concept into a political-territorial claim across successive historical periods. It reconstructs how the nomenclature and administrative classification of the territory evolved under various imperial rulers: from the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah through its redesignation as “Palestina” under Roman rule to subsequent Ottoman administrative divisions and finally to the terminological frameworks imposed during the British Mandate. These semantic and bureaucratic shifts demonstrate how imperial naming practices and territorial categorizations have shaped enduring geographical perceptions, nationalist claims, and contested historical narratives that continue to influence contemporary political discourse. Furthermore, the article engages with a central historiographical debate: why Jewish immigrant communities in the early 20th century were able to rapidly establish functional political institutions, economic infrastructures and robust organizational capacity, while Palestinian society under comparable historical circumstances did not achieve parallel state-building momentum. The analysis explicitly rejects cultural or essentialist explanations for this divergence. Instead, it foregrounds material and structural determinants. Pre-existing Jewish communities possessed considerable organizational capital through transnational networks, substantial international political and financial backing, administrative expertise derived from European contexts, and highly coordinated settlement policies. In contrast, Palestinian society operated under conditions of colonial domination, experienced profound political fragmentation and leadership divisions, faced systematic restrictions on political mobilization, and lacked access to equivalent levels of material and institutional resources. This disparity in foundational conditions created fundamentally uneven capacities for state formation, which critically predetermined the trajectory of subsequent political developments.   Discussion of Results & Conclusion A further central component of this analysis is its exploration of Israel's contemporary political landscape, with specific attention to the ideological and discursive stances concerning the concept of a "Greater Israel". The article delineates the major parties and political blocs, illustrating that while explicit advocacy for territorial expansion is concentrated among far-right factions, expansionist narratives and biblical-historical claims to the land permeate broader segments of the political culture. These narratives not only inform settlement policies and border discourses, but also sustain the construction of Iran as a civilizational adversary whose regional influence is portrayed as a fundamental threat to Israel's long-term territorial and ideological ambitions. The study contends that these narratives constitute a symbolic framework that legitimizes preemptive military actions, diplomatic offensives, and security doctrines predicated on strategic dominance rather than coexistence. Subsequently, the analysis shifts to Iran's regional posture, arguing that its foreign policy conduct is shaped by decades of geopolitical pressure, external interventions, international sanctions, and perceived security threats. In contrast to common Western and Israeli portrayals of Iran as an inherently expansionist power, the study demonstrates that Iran's strategy is predominantly defensive, anchored in concerns over national sovereignty, deterrence, and the preservation of a multipolar regional order. Iran's alliances, military posturing, and diplomatic initiatives are interpreted as reactive measures to structural insecurity rather than as manifestations of ideological expansionism. Placing Iran's role within a longer historical continuum reveals a foreign policy characterized by strategic continuity, caution, and acute sensitivity to regional power asymmetries. By integrating historical reconstruction, discourse analysis, and geopolitical interpretation, the study concludes that the Israel–Iran antagonism is sustained by deeply entrenched ideological infrastructures, not merely transient political disputes. Consequently, achieving sustainable peace in West Asia necessitates a transformation of the symbolic and discursive foundations of enmity, a critical reevaluation of territorial mythologies, and a shift from dominance-based security doctrines toward cooperative regional frameworks. Only by addressing these structural dimensions can policymakers envision a durable and equitable security architecture capable of stabilizing bilateral relations and breaking the persistent cycle of fear, mistrust, and conflict that currently defines the region.   https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30296.html IntroductionThe growth of new technologies, along with the increased use of the Internet and social networks, has significantly impacted family interactions within cyberspace. While these advancements have facilitated relationships by enhancing communication across geographical distances, excessive or imbalanced use of this virtual space has led to a decline in the quality of family interactions and reduced time spent together. Specifically, excessive engagement in cyberspace can diminish face-to-face interactions, lower marital satisfaction, and increase family conflicts. Research highlights that the effects of cyberspace on families are both positive and negative. Some studies reveal benefits, such as enhanced knowledge, greater social interactions, reduced physical distance between couples, and improved communication skills. In contrast, other research points to decreased communication quality, threats to intimacy, and heightened family conflict. Given these mixed findings, it is crucial to conduct an in-depth examination of how the amount and type of cyberspace usage relate to family functioning. Meta-analysis as a comprehensive method can integrate and assess the results of various studies, providing insights into the true effects of cyberspace use on key indicators of family functioning.  Materials & MethodsThis research employed a meta-analysis method aimed at investigating the relationship between cyberspace presence and its impact on family functioning. For data analysis, effect sizes (r, Cohen’s d) were calculated and combined using the random effects model. Additionally, the average effect estimate and heterogeneity analysis were conducted to identify variations between studies. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the type and amount of cyberspace use. Ultimately, 66 studies focused on the amount of use and 17 studies on the type of use were selected for inclusion. Discussion of Results & ConclusionThe findings indicated that the combined effect size of the relationship between cyberspace presence—considering the type of usage—and its impact on family functioning was 10%, which was statistically significant at the level of p<0.05p < 0.05p<0.05. However, this value was considered low according to the correlation effect size table (r<0.1). Additionally, the overall effect size for the impact of cyberspace usage on family functioning was found to be -0.274. The results further revealed that the amount of cyberspace use had the most substantial effect on reducing marital satisfaction. This suggested that the degree of use was more influential on couples’ relationships than the type of usage. The findings underscored that the impact of cyberspace on family functioning was determined by both the intensity and duration of use, as well as the nature of activities engaged in online. Excessive use, particularly for entertainment purposes, was linked to significant negative effects on family dynamics. It was clear that social networks presented both opportunities and threats; while they could facilitate social support within families, they might also diminish face-to-face interactions. Embracing the presence of social networks appears inevitable. However, with careful planning and mindful usage, these technologies can serve as tools to strengthen family identity and values. A considerable portion of the reviewed studies highlighted that the psychological consequences of cyberspace usage were crucial for understanding family functioning. The research indicated that increased anxiety, depression, and psychological stress stemming from excessive social media use could undermine family cohesion, intimacy, and overall effectiveness. This pattern was particularly significant in families where one member, especially adolescents, demonstrated high-risk behavior regarding cyberspace usage. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30128.html IntroductionIn recent years, escalating economic pressures and psychological stressors have led many students to feel increasingly indifferent or hopeless about their futures. This state of despair can result in harmful thoughts, including suicidal ideation, making the concept of student hope a crucial area for psychological and educational inquiry. While student life offers opportunities for growth, it also generates tensions that threaten motivation and a sense of purpose. Existing quantitative studies often assess hope through numerical indicators or standardized scales. However, the internal mechanisms, by which hope is formed—encompassing its emotional, cognitive, and experiential dimensions—remain underexplored. As a result, educational interventions aimed at fostering hope frequently lack conceptual depth. To address this gap, the current qualitative study sought to explore and elucidate the meanings, characteristics, obstacles, and solutions associated with hope from the perspective of students at Farhangian University in Kurdistan Province for the academic year 1403–1404. By analyzing students' lived experiences and linguistic expressions, the research aimed to uncover the subjective foundations of hope and support the development of sustainable strategies to nurture it in both academic and professional contexts. The study was motivated by observations from both researchers—students and professors actively engaged in university life—who had noted a growing sense of hopelessness among their peers due to economic difficulties and personal pressures.  Research QuestionsWhat meanings and characteristics does hope hold from student’s perspective?What obstacles do students encounter in building or maintaining hope?What practical solutions and strategies can foster hope among student teachers? Materials & MethodsThis research employed an interpretive qualitative paradigm, utilizing inductive qualitative content analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 participants (17 female, 8 male) enrolled in Primary Education and Education of Children with Special Needs programs. Participants were selected through purposive, criterion-based sampling, requiring prior contemplation of the subject and voluntary consent. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached.The interviews included open-ended questions exploring 4 dimensions: meanings, characteristics, barriers, and strategies related to hope. The data were systematically transcribed and analyzed over several coding stages:Data Preparation and Organization – Transcription and numeric codingPreliminary Review – Repeated readings for familiarization with the dataOpen Coding – Identification of meaningful phrases (semantic units)Axial Coding – Clustering conceptually similar codes into subcategories, such as internal and external factors affecting hopeSelective Coding – Synthesizing subcategories into main themes:Meanings and characteristics of hopeObstacles (internal and external)Solutions and strategies for strengthening hopeConstant Comparison and Theoretical Saturation – Ensuring conceptual integrity throughout the analysisValidity and Reliability Control – Being ensured through participant feedback for credibility, confirmability via traceable data sources, and transferability discussed in the conclusionEthical principles were rigorously upheld, including informed consent, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and the right to withdraw at any time. Discussion of Results & ConclusionThe findings revealed that hope among student teachers was a fundamental psychological construct crucial to their emotional well-being and professional identity. Participants described hope as both an emotional state and a form of intentional agency, aligning with Snyder’s theory of hope, which integrates “agency” (responsibility and effort) and “pathways” (purposeful direction and strategy).Two key dimensions of hope emerged from the analysis:Individual/Psychological Dimension — This included personal goals, inner peace, life satisfaction, and resilience.Social/Professional Dimension — Here, hope was expressed through social connections, professional motivation, and aspirations for academic or career growth.Participants emphasized that hope was dynamic and actionable, manifesting through behaviors, decision-making, and perseverance. Emotional states, such as peace and happiness, directly enhanced hope, underscoring the affective foundation of this construct.Overall, the study demonstrated that hope served as a multifaceted determinant of success and identity within the educational context, empowering students to envision attainable futures, build resilience against adversity, and maintain motivation through a sense of purpose and agency.Hope among student teachers is a tangible, multidimensional, and dynamic phenomenon that operates across personal, social, and professional spheres. It is not merely optimism, but rather an active orientation toward meaningful goals supported by emotional stability and cognitive clarity. Recognizing and reinforcing hope can therefore serve as a foundation for developing effective educational interventions and promoting positive psychological growth within university environments. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30096.html Introduction Social trauma among orphaned and inadequately supervised adolescents in semi-family (foster care) centers poses a significant challenge to social security, with potential long-term repercussions including mental health disorders, delinquency, identity crises, and erosion of social cohesion. In Iran, family disintegration—stemming from parental addiction, divorce, domestic violence, and structural poverty—often leads to the placement of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in welfare-operated semi-family centers designed to replicate family environments. However, abrupt separation from their families, weak caregiver attachments, and institutional limitations frequently exacerbate rather than alleviating their trauma. While quantitative studies have documented the prevalence of these issues, there remains a notable gap in qualitative, process-oriented insights into how trauma emerges and intensifies from the perspectives of the adolescents themselves, particularly in urban contexts, such as Karaj, Alborz Province. This grounded theory study aimed to explore the dynamic process of trauma formation, focusing on familial precursors and institutional interactions that transformed individual suffering into broader social vulnerability.     Materials & Methods This study utilized a qualitative design based on Strauss and Corbin’s (1990) grounded theory methodology. The research population included orphaned and inadequately supervised adolescents living in three semi-family centers managed by the Alborz Province Welfare Organization in Karaj. Purposive sampling was followed by theoretical sampling and continued until theoretical saturation was attained. A total of 17 in-depth semi-structured interviews (9 boys and 8 girls) were conducted, ensuring diverse representation in terms of age, gender, length of stay, and referral pathways. Each interview lasted between 45 to 70 minutes, was audio-recorded with informed consent, fully transcribed, and analyzed by using MAXQDA 2022, following sequential stages of open, axial, and selective coding. To enhance credibility, the study employed developmentally adapted member-checking (using simplified verbal and visual summaries), independent dual coding, a detailed audit trail, prolonged engagement, and reflexive memo writing.   Discussion of Results & Conclusion The analysis identified the "process of trauma formation" as the core category emerging from an interconnected paradigm of conditions, interactions, and consequences. The resulting paradigmatic model is illustrated below: This model revealed trauma as a cyclical, self-reinforcing process: familial collapse prior to referral initiated the cycle and institutional experiences—such as abrupt separation, weak caregiver bonds, and frequent transfers—tended to amplify, rather than disrupting this cycle. The untreated consequences posed threats to long-term individual functioning and societal security. Semi-family centers designed to be protective environments paradoxically became sites of secondary traumatization when attachment needs were unmet. These findings not only align with international evidence regarding the institutional reinforcement of developmental trauma, but also provide locally relevant insights into Iranian urban contexts. To break this cycle, trauma-informed systemic reform is essential. This includes attachment-focused caregiver training, life skills, and mental health programs within the centers, preventive family support for at-risk households, and inter-institutional coordination between welfare, education, and law enforcement agencies. Only through such integrated, experience-sensitive interventions can semi-family centers evolve from perpetuating trauma to becoming genuine platforms for healing and resilience. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30365.html   Introduction The global demographic landscape is undergoing a significant transformation characterized by an unprecedented increase in the proportion of older adults. According to international reports, over one billion people worldwide are currently aged 60 and above—a figure projected to exceed 2.1 billion by 2050. Iran is also experiencing a rapid demographic shift toward an older population structure. In 2023, approximately 11% of Iran's population was elderly, a number expected to rise to over 30% within the next three decades. This escalating trend necessitates a proactive and comprehensive approach to healthcare and social planning. The concept of "productive aging" offers a constructive framework for addressing these demographic changes. Emerging in the mid‑1980s, this perspective views older individuals as active contributors to society, who engage in a variety of beneficial activities. It shifts the focus from the dependency of older adults to their constructive participation in families and communities. Older adults represent a vast, underutilized resource that society—particularly in the face of demographic aging—cannot afford to ignore. Fostering productive aging is vital for enhancing their well‑being, alleviating social welfare burdens and leveraging their experience for societal progress. Furthermore, population aging has profound implications across various economic sectors, including the labor market, financial markets, pension systems, human capital, patterns of consumption and savings, government budgets, and overall economic growth. Existing research, particularly in developing nations, often relies on linear models and static relationships. Although international studies have explored conceptual models encompassing the individual, social, and environmental factors that influence productive engagement, a significant research gap persists in Iran regarding dynamic and comprehensive analytical frameworks capable of capturing the intricate interplay of institutional, social, and individual interactions. Previous models have frequently lacked the capacity to track the long-term effects of policies or identify systemic leverage points. This study addressed this gap by employing System Dynamics to develop a conceptual model of constructive engagement among older adults in Iran, offering a nuanced understanding through dynamic system analysis. The primary goal was to enhance the understanding of complex social issues within the context of aging populations and develop a framework capable of modeling the uncertainties, nonlinear effects, and time lags inherent in the pathways of productive aging. This approach represented a core innovation and a key differentiator from previous research that had relied on static and linear models. Accordingly, this study first provided a brief overview of conceptualizations related to constructive engagement among older adults followed by an introduction to the fundamental principles of System Dynamics. Subsequently, the factors influencing constructive engagement among older adults were examined by using a stock-and-flow diagram. The ultimate aim was to develop strategies and policies that enhanced the capacity of aging population for active and effective participation within society.     Materials & Methods This study employed System Dynamics for qualitative conceptual modeling, a methodology well suited to analyzing complex social systems characterized by feedback structures and nonlinear dynamics. To ensure contextual relevance, the process incorporated Group Model Building. The modeling process consisted of the following four stages: Problem Definition and Causal Loop Diagram (CLD): Key variables—including "Elderly Human Capital", "Opportunities", and "Organizational Capacity"—were identified. Their causal relationships and feedback loops were then mapped. Stock and Flow Diagram (SFD): The CLD was translated into a more formal structure representing accumulations ("stocks") and rates of change ("flows"), allowing for the visualization of dynamic system behavior. Feedback Loop Analysis: The interplay between reinforcing (R) and balancing (B) loops was examined to identify the system's underlying drivers and constraints. Group Model Building (GMB): The model structure was collaboratively refined using expert insights to ensure it accurately captured the Iranian context. This stage also lay the groundwork for future quantitative analysis.   Discussion of Results & Conclusion The developed system dynamics model highlighted the growing elderly human capital in Iran, which remained significantly underutilized due to limited opportunities, inadequate support, and low organizational capacity. This created a persistent gap between the potential productivity of older adults and its actual realization. The study revealed the critical role of societal attitudes, participation opportunities, and organizational adaptability. These findings underscored the need for performing targeted interventions against age‑based discrimination and promoting elder‑friendly workplaces. The system's behavior—driven by opposing reinforcing and balancing feedback loops—necessitated policies that strengthened participation enablers while simultaneously mitigating existing barriers, thereby ensuring stable growth and avoiding systemic decline. This dynamic conceptual framework served as a foundation for future quantitative simulations and policy development by identifying key leverage points for promoting productive aging. Specifically, the model emphasized that shifting the focus from merely providing support services toward activating the intrinsic capacities of older adults—and creating suitable platforms for their self‑expression—could lead to more sustainable outcomes. Ultimately, attaining a "win‑win" state—in which older adults benefited from meaningful engagement and society gains from their capabilities—represented the ultimate goal of this approach.   https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30402.html Drug addiction is a physical, mental, and psychological behavior disorder that, due to its progressive nature,endangers the health of the individual, family, and society in all aspects of life. And its dire consequences do not only affect the addict, but usually the spouse, children, extended family, circle of friends, and colleagues, etc., will be exposed to its devastating effects. This study examines the reasons for participating in the Nar-Anon Twelve-Step Program and staying in it among women in Yazd. The method of this research was qualitative, using the content analysis method. The data for this study was obtained through in-depth interviews with 20 women participating in the Nar-Anon program, who were selected through purposive sampling. The data was analyzed using Brown and Clark's six-step coding. The results of the study indicate three major factors for women entering the Nar-Anon program, including damaged personality, spouse's psychosocial defects, and poor living conditions, which were summarized in the final theme of insecure living. Also, the main factors for women staying in the program include growth, personal improvement, a sense of peace, empathy from the guide and group members, and improved living conditions, which was discussed with the final theme of enhancing the quality of life. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30415.html In the age of globalization, the homeland, as a fundamental pillar of national identity, plays an undeniable role in fostering social cohesion, particularly in multi-ethnic societies such as Iran. This qualitative study, employing a social constructivist approach, examines the semantic construction of homeland within the discourse of 47 Baloch women in Zahedan. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. Findings reveal that participants hold a profound attachment to the concept of homeland. In their interpretation, the homeland is characterized by distinctly feminine traits and a multifaceted personality. Moreover, participants construct their lived experience of the homeland against a backdrop of perceived failure. Thus, it can be argued that the gendered construction of homeland serves as a domain for expressing "complex belonging," where love for the motherland intertwines with a critique of structural discrimination. The results demonstrate that homogenizing identity policies fail to accommodate these multi-layered attachments. Recognizing diverse narratives of the homeland, acknowledging the role and status of women in the country, and mitigating inequality-producing policies are prerequisites for establishing sustainable national cohesion. Such measures will significantly deepen both the conceptual and experiential understanding of homeland among Baloch women https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30417.html “The ever-expanding cyber space and unlimited access to digital content have transformed the phenomenon of online sexual content consumption into a serious ethical and behavioral challenge among youth. This research aims to explore the perceptions of female dormitory residents regarding the causes and consequences of viewing such content. Employing a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method, the study investigates this phenomenon. The research population comprised 35 female students from one of Isfahan’s universities, selected through snowball sampling and engaged in semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that the inclination for consumption is shaped by two categories: ‘individual factors’ (including curiosity, the need for sexual information, and negative emotional states like anxiety and depression) and ‘environmental factors’ (such as peer influence, easy access within the dormitory environment, anonymity of cyberspace, and cultural taboos). The consequences of this consumption were analyzed on three levels: individual (reduced self-confidence, increased guilt, and psycho-physical harm), familial (weakening of parent-child relationships and reduced quality of marriage), and social (objectification of women and erosion of traditional values). The results indicate that content consumption is the outcome of a complex interaction between individual agency and environmental structures, potentially leading to the creation of a ‘sexual hyperreality’ and altering perceptions of real relationships. By offering a comprehensive understanding of the roots and repercussions of online sexual content consumption within the specific context of student dormitories, this study underscores the necessity of considering the psychological and social dimensions of this phenomenon in designing educational and supportive interventions.” https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30447.html The present study aimed to analyze the components and symptoms of extra-role behaviors of academic departments concerning social responsibility. This research is applied in purpose and follows a mixed-exploratory sequential method (qualitative–quantitative). In the qualitative phase, through semi-structured interviews with 15 key experts selected via purposive sampling and guided by theoretical saturation, the components of extra-role behaviors related to social responsibility were identified. The interview data were analyzed using the Attride-Stirling thematic analysis method. The findings revealed five main components: efforts to effectively introduce the department to society and potential users of educational, research, laboratory, and consulting services; adopting a proactive perspective toward societal issues and anticipating community needs; striving to address the needs of local, regional, national, and international communities; aligning education with societal goals; and the department’s efforts to establish informal groups under university supervision for the common good. In the quantitative phase, 15 experts with relevant experience in education and social responsibility were purposively selected. A researcher-developed questionnaire with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92 served as the instrument. Component validity and acceptance were evaluated using one-sample t-tests (comparison with mean = 3) and Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Results indicated that all components were statistically significant and possessed both theoretical and practical validity. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30495.html Abstract: This sociological study employs a constructivist narrative analysis approach to examine the experience of separation in the lives of those left behind by migration in Afghanistan. Data were collected through narrative interviews with members of separated families, and the analysis involved coding the narratives, identifying key themes, and examining family and social discourses. The findings indicate that family separation is not merely an individual psychological experience but is profoundly shaped by social, cultural, and economic structures. The narratives are multilayered and polyphonic, reflecting concepts such as “suspended life” and “structural separation” that capture the complexity of being left behind. The study demonstrates that separation shapes individuals’ identities and daily lives while prompting diverse coping strategies to manage longing, responsibility, and meaning-making. By offering an innovative theoretical and methodological framework, this research provides a novel perspective on the lived realities of those left behind in Afghanistan. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30544.html Each year, many young individuals enroll in universities with the goal of securing employment, yet a significant portion struggle to find job after graduation. This has resulted in unemployment among becoming a prevalent social problem in the country. This study utilized the grounded theory method to explore this phenomenon within the social context of Yasouj city. The participants were 14 unemployed graduates of Yasouj University who were purposively selected. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding. This process revealed nine categories: the economic state of the labor market and the shortcomings of the education system as causal conditions of unemployment; bureaucratic corruption as the context conditions; individual setbacks as the intervening condition of unemployment; enhancing capabilities and adaptation as the strategies of graduates in facing unemployment; and lastly, psychosomatic and social repercussions as the consequences of unemployment. The findings resulted in the emergence of the core called victims of the labor market. These individuals are caught in a cycle of unemployment due to a flawed economic system, inadequate skills training from university, and the complexities of labor market demands. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30608.html Political participation, as a fundamental pillar of social development and cohesion, plays a significant role in the dynamism of civil society and the enhancement of social capital. Despite the multiplicity of sociological research in this area, the literature in Iran suffers from conceptual fragmentation. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis and map the intellectual structure of political participation studies within the context of social transformations from 2015 to 2025. This applied and quantitative study utilizes scientometric analysis. The research metadata includes 591 scientific documents extracted from the national journals database. VOSviewer software was utilized for co-word network analysis and network visualization. Network analysis revealed that the conceptual structure of this field is configured into 11 clusters and 5 macro-streams (social capital and trust, political culture, electoral behavior, ethnic/gender identities, and new media). The core of the network is densely concentrated around the variables of “social capital” and “elections”. Examining the historical evolution indicates a paradigm shift from classical institutions toward social media activism, whereas fundamental concepts of social development, such as women’s participation, minority rights, and identity diversity, face academic marginalization. The literature on political participation in Iran, despite the dominance of a sociological approach, suffers from a kind of electoral reductionism, limiting citizen participation to voting behaviors. Overcoming this approach requires attention to more dynamic forms of civil society and the use of ethnographic methods for a deeper understanding of gender and identity barriers affecting participation patterns. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30658.html Drawing upon a qualitative approach and utilizing digital ethnography, the present study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the identity construction process among Iranian youth who are fans of Korean pop music (K-pop). Data were collected through online participant observation within virtual fan communities, alongside twelve semi-structured interviews (conducted both in-person and virtually) with young men and women aged 20to 30. To extract underlying patterns and comprehend the participants’ perspectives, the data were coded and examined using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the identity formation of these youths unfolds through a dynamic process consisting of four distinct stages: the pre-fandom state, characterized by life prior to discovering K-pop and engagement with mundane routines; the turning point of acquaintance, involving the initial, captivating encounter with the phenomenon through various media channels; the fandom transition period, marked by experiencing cognitive dissonance and duality between indigenous cultural patterns and newly emerged values; and finally, the balanced fandom identity, wherein the individual achieves a stable, coherent, and multi-layered sense of self. Furthermore, the results emphasize that fandom within this context cannot be reduced to a passive leisure activity; rather, it constitutes a form of active cultural consumption that leads to the reproduction and creation of a new identity. This constructed identity possesses a hybrid nature, creatively integrating elements of both Iranian and Korean cultures. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30663.html The present study aimed to explore students' lived experiences of perceived unfairness in the classroom assessment process. This study adopted a qualitative approach using descriptive phenomenology. The participants consisted of 23 secondary school students who were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, which continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological analysis method. The findings revealed that students' perceptions of unfairness in classroom assessment were organized into four main themes—teacher-related unfairness, grading and evaluation criteria, assessment procedures, and assessment implementation conditions—and nine subthemes. According to the participants' experiences, unfairness emerges when educational judgments fail to accurately reflect students' actual competence and are instead influenced by harmful teacher behaviors, irrelevant evaluation criteria, ambiguity in grading practices, or unequal access to learning opportunities and assessment-related information. The findings indicate that fairness in classroom assessment extends beyond assessment outcomes and is fundamentally reflected in the quality of teacher–student interactions, the transparency of evaluation criteria, the alignment between instruction and assessment, and the equitable distribution of learning opportunities. Therefore, enhancing teachers' assessment literacy and incorporating students' voices into assessment practices may contribute to reducing perceptions of unfairness and strengthening students' trust in the assessment process. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30690.html Employee marginalization is a complex and multidimensional organizational phenomenon that can affect individual performance, workplace relationships, and organizational effectiveness. Despite growing attention to organizational ostracism, organizational silence, and cronyism, the processes through which employee marginalization develops and is reproduced in public organizations remain insufficiently understood. Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a process model of employee marginalization in Iranian public organizations. The study adopted a qualitative meta-synthesis approach. Following a systematic search and screening process, 18 relevant articles were identified. Of these, 16 studies containing synthesizable qualitative findings constituted the core meta-synthesis corpus, while two structurally oriented studies were used solely as supplementary evidence. The findings of the core studies were analyzed through three levels of conceptual extraction, organization, and abstraction. The results indicated that employee marginalization is not merely an individual-level phenomenon but develops within organizational structures and informal relationships. The synthesis yielded an interpretive, cross-contextual model comprising five stages: (1) the formative context, (2) triggering factors, (3) ostracizing actions, (4) employee reactions, and (5) individual and organizational consequences. The model captures shared patterns across the organizational settings examined and should not be interpreted as a fixed, entirely linear sequence or as universally generalizable to all Iranian public organizations. The findings suggest that interactions between organizational structures and employee reactions may contribute to the reproduction of marginalization within organizations. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30734.html The decision to undergo induced abortion among women is the outcome of a complex interplay of various factors. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring the role of marital relationship quality in the process of decision-making and action regarding induced abortion from the perspective of women's lived experiences. This qualitative study, employing a descriptive phenomenological approach, was carried out in 2023. Using purposive sampling with maximum variation, 40 women with experience of induced abortion were selected from Alborz province. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. The findings indicate that "spousal personality and behavioral incompatibilities," "emotional-communicative voids," and "deficiencies in spousal responsibility and commitment" gradually lead to a "lack of psychological-emotional security within the marital relationship." This insecurity casts the future in a shroud of ambiguity and fear, giving rise to a "sense of future insecurity," manifested as "anticipation of marital instability" and "fear of reproducing harm in the child." Furthermore, "weak foundations of marriage" resulting from "unreflective spouse selection" and "coercion and fundamental conflict at the onset of married life" have diminished the relationship's resilience. In accordance with the findings, marital relationship dysfunction, as a decisive context, propels the individual toward the decision for induced abortion through three major mechanisms: psychological exhaustion, anticipation of a harmful future, and the constriction of the woman's agency. Consequently, it is recommended that preventive interventions focus on strengthening marital relationship resilience and providing counseling services for couples at risk. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30738.html The aim of this study is to analyze the process of formation of social problems in Ahvaz city from the perspective of the elites of the prison organization. To achieve this goal, a qualitative methodology of grounded theory was used and in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 elites. Data analysis was conducted in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding to extract paradigmatic model. The findings include 5 main categories: concentration of economic challenges and disruption in daily life, uneven growth of the urban phenomenon and reproduction of marginalization, policy-making-implementation gaps in the field of urban management, strategies to ensure livelihood adequacy, multiple social consequences, and a core category titled: social problem as a confluence of multifaceted anomalies. The results showed that the social problem begins with the family context and the economic dimension: lack of income and independent housing and is reinforced by the urban context: uneven growth of the urban phenomenon and reproduction of marginalization and the legal context: policy-making-implementation gaps in the field of urban management. The confluence of these three family, urban, and legal contexts has confronted urban life with livelihood constraints. In such circumstances, activists adopt at least 4 strategies to ensure the adequacy of livelihoods: Nomadic livelihood: They prefer changing conditions to improving them. Dependent livelihood: They seek help from important others to overcome the livelihood bottleneck. Self-destructive-passive livelihood: Passivity towards conditions and the forced transfer of family responsibility to other family members. Marginal livelihood: They consider living on the outskirts of cities as a transition stage from the countryside to the city and a guarantee of livelihoods. Social issue is also consequence of the use of these strategies by activists. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30744.html This research aims to understand how gender awareness and the experience of femininity are formed among women born in the 1960s in Yazd. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using the grounded theory method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 women from the 1960s living in Yazd in 1404 AH, and the sampling was purposeful and theoretical until theoretical saturation was reached. The findings show that the childhood and adolescence experience of these women was formed in an atmosphere of “gender silence”; an atmosphere in which awareness of the body, gender, and sexual needs was largely hidden within the framework of cultural taboos, and at the same time, a strict model of normative femininity was reproduced by the family, school, and society. In this social order, marriage is defined as the only legitimate path to overcome the limitations of girlhood and achieve some relative freedoms. However, the expansion of education, media, and social changes from late adolescence onwards have provided the basis for a kind of rethinking of the experience of femininity for this generation. As a result, many women of the sixties, in a gradual process conceptualized in this study as “splitting the gender shell,” have begun to redefine their feminine identity, reclaim individual agency, and strive for a more autonomous life experience. This generation can be seen as a generation in transition between the traditional gender order and more modern horizons. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30754.html Background and aim: In modern society, mental illness is not merely an individual issue; rather, it is a social and cultural phenomenon that profoundly impacts family structure and social interactions. The present study aims to explore the lived experiences of families with a mentally ill patient suffering from psychosis and to elaborate on the biological, psychological, and social pressures and outcomes resulting from this condition. Data and method: This research was conducted using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method. The study population included families of psychotic patients admitted to the Aftab Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of Mental Patients in Malayer City during the first half of 2025. Purposeful sampling based on inclusion criteria was employed. To achieve data saturation, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 family members of psychotic patients. Data were analyzed using the five-step method proposed by Granheim and Lundman. Findings: Family members of psychotic patients faced extensive challenges in three dimensions: biological, psychological, and social. In the biological dimension, physical weakness, and physical injuries were reported. In the psychological dimension, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and post-traumatic stress, were observed. In the social dimension, decreased family cohesion, economic pressure, social stigma and isolation were prominent results. Conclusion: The findings indicate that families with a mentally ill patient are exposed to multifaceted physical, psychological, and social pressures and require comprehensive, multi-level support to enhance their resilience and quality of life. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30757.html Neighborhood centers are designed with the aim of improving the quality of urban life and strengthening social interactions, and if these center programs are properly developed and implemented, they will have positive effects on the lives of citizens and increase their place attachment and participation. The research aimed to present a structural model of place attachment affecting factors in districts 2 and 5 of Tehran using survey method. Sample size was 390 residents of these areas who were selected using random sampling method. The analysis of results was performed using Smart PLS software, and the results of structural equations showed that; neighborhood center activities directly and indirectly affected place attachment. The most important mechanism for transmitting this effect was social capital and urban policies, the research model was able to explain about one-fifth of place attachment changes. Findings emphasize that the success of the neighborhood center in increasing the place attachment depends more on its ability to create social capital, communication networks, and effective citizen participation than on the number of activities. The neighborhood center, as a social institution, has played an important role in creating and strengthening social networks among residents, and these social interactions have helped to create a sense of trust and solidarity among residents. Results indicate that urban policies and planning play an important role in strengthening place attachment, especially when these policies develop and support the functioning of the neighborhood center, residents feel that their living environment is considered and valued. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30788.html The present study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the relational network and the degree of convergence among key actors involved in the development of public sport in Salmas County. This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of method, grounded in structural-interactional analysis. The participants comprised sports management experts, from whom 15 individuals with substantial experience and familiarity with the local context were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected via "actor-actor" and "actor-objective" matrices and subsequently analyzed using MACTOR software. The findings revealed that the Department of Sports and Youth, the Municipality, and Sports Federations (local boards) possessed the highest degrees of influence. Notable divergence among institutions was observed with respect to the objectives of "leisure time enrichment" and "financial resource provision." Conversely, a greater degree of alignment was identified concerning the axis of "promoting the culture of sport." In light of the findings, it is recommended that institutional synergy be reinforced through the establishment of a local coordination council, the development of a mixed financing system, and the design of indigenous educational programs. This model may serve as a template for similar regions. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30793.html This study aims to explore the lived experience of entrepreneurship among formerly incarcerated individuals in the city of Kermanshah and to understand the meaning of entrepreneurship in the process of rehabilitation and social reintegration. This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and using the phenomenological method.The participants consisted of 13 formerly incarcerated individuals who had established businesses in various economic sectors following their release. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological method.The analysis led to the identification of eight main themes: individual empowering factors, structural and institutional support, existing barriers and constraints, reconstruction of social ties, consequences of entrepreneurship, deterrent factors preventing a return to crime, identity reconstruction and detachment from the past, and the sustainability and consolidation of the entrepreneurial pathway.The findings indicate that, in the lived experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals, entrepreneurship is not merely perceived as an economic activity; rather, it is experienced as a meaningful process that contributes to the reconstruction of personal identity, the restoration of self-worth, the redefinition of social status, and the strengthening of connections with society. The results further suggest that engagement in and persistence with entrepreneurship emerge through the interaction of individual, social, and institutional factors. In particular, family support, access to vocational and entrepreneurial training, availability of financial resources, and the reduction of social stigma play significant roles in facilitating this process. Overall, the findings demonstrate that entrepreneurship can function as an important pathway for personal rehabilitation and the facilitation of social reintegration among formerly incarcerated individuals. When appropriate supportive conditions are available, it may also contribute to reducing the likelihood of recidivism. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30883.html https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30885.html The expansion of theoretical yoga teachings in practical classes—but also the establishment of yoga knowledge classes—indicates a trend that, until properly understood and recognized, prevents well-documented commentary on the associated cultural changes, emerging spiritual needs, and new expectations people have from religion. The central question of this research is: What factors, processes, and consequences are involved in individuals' participation in yoga knowledge classes? To address this question, the grounded theory approach was employed, drawing on field data gathered through participatory observations in both physical and virtual spaces, as well as in-depth interviews. The key theoretical components of the resulting theory include the contextual conditions of participation (intervening and causal), the teaching methods and content of the classes, displacement processes, and outcomes. The primary factor driving participation is a persistent state of unwellness, which, within a context of intervening conditions, facilitates an individual's entry into the group. For the majority of participants in each cohort, the process of moving from hope to despair occurs, with the consequence of dropping out of class. However, for a smaller number of newcomers in each cohort, the process of moving from a persistently bad state to a relatively good state occurs, yielding conscious and unconscious consequences that are culturally significant. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30890.html Today, one can discern in de-constructive thought a persistent sensitivity to whatever becomes sedimented in the fixity of any center of identity, decision or law. Derrida is concerned with revealing the resentment and violence embedded in the foundation of modern thought, whether in the liberal or Marxist traditions. Through de-construction, however, he is by no means seeking a non-violent strategy. Rather, he seeks to demonstrate that the underlying sources of violence can always be weakened across different historical moments including the conditions of the present. Shariati is a character shaped by his time. Accordingly, this article seeks on the one hand, to situate him within his historical context and, on the other, to demonstrate, through a reading of his thought, the possibility of distinguishing between an earlier and later Shariati. The article argues that, in both periods, his central concern has been liminal Iran as he has sought to move from a horizon of violence toward existential horizons of non-violence. By analyzing the logic of the aporias within the texts of these two periods, and by drawing on the existential dimensions of his later thought, it becomes possible to bring up a sustained sensitivity to the forms of violence emerging from contemporary unrests