Theoretical components of Iranian folk song (Qashqai lullaby) based on the communicative gestalt theory with a psychosocial approach and citizens' mental health

Background: Given modern psychosocial challenges, non-pharmacological mental well-being interventions are needed. This study aimed to identify its theoretical components through the principles of visual literacy in communicative Gestalt theory and explain their link to psychosocial health. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a constructivist Grounded Theory approach and directed content analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling of 18 prominent vocal pieces and semi-structured interviews with 9 experts (musicians and psychologists, Visual communication artists, as well as mental drawings of the basics of visual literacy, Qashqai's lullaby, by 40 students) and analyzed using MAXQDA software. The analysis was focused on Gestalt principles (wholeness, figure-ground, proximity, similarity, continuity, closure). Results: Data analysis led to the extraction of six key theoretical components aligned with Gestalt principles: Wholeness (integrated auditory experience), Figure-Ground (semantic highlighting of poetry), Proximity (melodic-verbal cohesion), Similarity (repetitive acoustic patterns), Continuity (continuous emotional flow), and Closure (completion of auditory expectations). These components were linked to specific psychosocial mechanisms such as reducing cognitive load, enhancing attentional focus, facilitating the processing of complex emotions, creating psychological safety, gradual emotional regulation, and cognitive completion. Interview analysis further characterized Iranian Folk song (Qashqai lullaby) as a "regulative communicative space" with functions in emotional regulation, mental coherence, recovery of a pleasant feeling, representing nostalgia and reinforcement the collective identity of citizens. Conclusion: This study concludes that the Gestalt structure of Iranian Folk song (Qashqai lullaby) due to benefit from the systematic principles of visual literacy, fosters an integrated auditory experience which reduces mental agitation, facilitates emotional expression, and strengthens social belonging. It establishes a theoretical framework for using folk song as a cultural intervention for mental health of citizen and paves the way for future experimental research.