Design and Validation of a Counseling Model for Children of Divorce: An Expert-Based Qualitative Study in Iran

Background and Aim: Despite the growing rate of divorce in Iran, there is a lack of localized, structured counseling models to address the psychological needs of adolescents from divorced families. While previous phenomenological studies in Iran have explored the lived experiences of adolescents after parental separation, this research goes a step further by designing and validating the first structured, expert-based counseling intervention specifically tailored for this target population. This study, therefore, shifts the focus from merely exploring experiences to a practical, validated solution. Data and Method: This qualitative study utilized an exploratory-descriptive approach aimed at developing and validating a ۱۴-session counseling model for children of divorce based on the experiential knowledge of Iranian experts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ۱۲ family counseling experts in Yazd, selected through purposive criterion sampling. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. Findings: Analysis of the experts' perspectives identified six primary therapeutic indices for the counseling model: ۱) attitude toward parental divorce, ۲) feelings about divorce, ۳) emotional expression, ۴) problem-solving skills, ۵) parent-child relationship, and ۶) peer interactions. The validation results confirmed the high content validity of the model, yielding a mean Content Validity Ratio (CVR) of ۰.۹۶ and a Content Validity Index (CVI) of ۰.۹۱ across all sessions. Statistical analyses further verified the internal validity and relevance of the model from the experts' perspective. Conclusion: This study proposes a validated, ۱۴-session counseling model for post-divorce adolescent care in Iran (ages ۱۲–۱۸). Distinct from prior descriptive research, this model offers an actionable and culturally attuned intervention addressing emotional regulation, parent-child dynamics, and social stigma-coping strategies for clinical practitioners and social policymakers to enhance the psychological well-being and resilience of this vulnerable population. Key Message: This study presents the first structured, expert-based, and culturally grounded counseling model for adolescents from divorced families in Iran. It provides an actionable and validated framework for practitioners and policymakers to address psychological needs within the context of post-divorce familial changes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Divorce counseling ، Expert-based model ، validation ، Qualitative study