The effectiveness of social group work interventions using the educational-counseling method on resilience and social adaptation of women facing divorce

Introduction: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of social group work interventions using the educational-counseling method on resilience and social adaptation among the women facing divorce. Method: The current research was semi-experimental with a pre-test - post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of this research included all the women who applied for divorce in Mashhad in 2023, and 30 people were selected by the purposeful sampling method and were placed in two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. The experimental group was taught one 90-minute session every week during eight sessions of group work interventions focusing on resilience and adaptability. The research tools included Connor and Davidson’s (2003) resilience questionnaire, and Bell’s (1961) social adjustment questionnaire, and the method of data analysis in descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation); Statistical assumptions of Kolmogorov-Smironov test and inferential statistics from multivariate covariance analysis and SPSS version 26 statistical software was used for data analysis. Findings: Social group work interventions employing the educational-counseling approach significantly impacted resilience and its components—including perceptions of individual competence, trust in personal instincts, positive acceptance of change, self-control (restraint), and spiritual influences. Additionally, these interventions had a notable effect on social adaptation and its dimensions, such as emotional, health-related, familial, occupational, and social adjustment among women at risk of divorce (p < 0.05). Discussion: Considering the effectiveness of social group work intervention using the educational counseling method on improving resilience and social adaptation of women facing divorce, these interventions can be used as an intervention approach for couples in social work clinics and counseling and psychology centers.