International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences
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A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of PositivePsychotherapy on Improving Executive Function and Plasma Cortisol Levels in Patients with Anxiety
Get PDFInteroduction: Anxiety among students can lead to decreased performance and may be associated with other psychological and biological consequences. Therefore, it deserves clinical attention. On the other hand, reinforcing positive resources such as feelings, behaviors, and positive cognitions can be used as an important intervention in managing and improving mood disorders. This study evaluated the efficacy of positive psychotherapyon improving executive function and modulating serum cortisol levels in patients with anxiety.Method: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 30 students with anxiety symptoms were selected using purposive sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups through block randomization method after confirming entry criteria. The intervention was presented to the experimental group in a positive approach for ten weekly sessions and the control group was placed on the waiting list. Changes in the executive functions index were considered as primary outcomes and serum cortisol levels fluctuations were considered as secondary outcomes. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS 21 software. Result: Primary outcomesshowed that ten weeks of positive therapy had a significant effect on improvement of executive function (p<0.001). Secondary outcomes also showed that positive psychotherapy was effective in decreasing serum cortisol levels (p<0.001).Conclusion: Results showed that positive psychotherapy had a significant effect on the improvement of executive function and reducing serum cortisol levels. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of psychotherapy on the prefrontal cortex (PFC)and its interaction with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function.Declaration of Interest: None.Declaration of Interest: Non
Effectiveness of Online Compassion-Focused Group Therapy on Depression, Anxiety and Chronic Fatigue Severity of Multiple Sclerosis in Female Patients
Get PDFIntroduction: Multiple sclerosis (M.S) is the most common debilitating disease that also affects thephysical, mental, and social functioning of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate theeffectiveness of online compassion therapy on depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue severity infemale patients with multiple sclerosis.Method: The present study was a pre-test, post-test applied and experimental study with a controlgroup. The sample consisted of 30 patients with multiple sclerosis living in Shiraz in 2020 whowere selected by convenience sampling method. They randomly divided into experimental andcontrol groups. Participants were tested on the Depression, Anxiety, and Chronic Fatigue Scales,and an online compassion-based treatment plan was presented to the experimental group in 8 twohour sessions. Descriptive statistics and covariance test were used to analyze the data.Result: Patients showed a significant improvement in the severity of symptoms in all threevariables. The results showed a significant difference in depression, anxiety and chronic fatigueseverity scores between the groups at posttest (P <0.001).Conclusion: Online CFT can be used as an effective therapy to improve mental disorders andmental health of MS patients in case of evidence for proof of effectiveness of CFT. So, onlinecompassion-focused group therapy can reduce the negative psychological consequences of peoplewith multiple sclerosis by reducing negative emotions and increasing a person's attention toimproving their condition.Declaration of Interest: Non
Comparison of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy andCompassion-Focused Therapy on Quality of Life and Health-Promoting Behaviors of Mothers with Gestational Diabetes
Get PDFIntroduction:Gestational diabetes is the most common metabolic complication of pregnancy, affecting 10%-15% of all pregnancies, depending on diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitmenttherapy and compassion-focused therapy on the quality of life and health-promoting behaviors of mothers with gestational diabetes.Method:The research method was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The statistical population of this study was all pregnant women referred to Milad Hospital in Tehran in 2019.45participantswere randomly selected and placed in three groups of acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and control group.The follow-up phase was performed on all three groups three months after the post-test. The research tools included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale and the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate covariance analysis by spss.22. Result:The results showed that acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion-focused therapy had a significant effect on improving the quality of life and health-promoting behaviors in women with gestational diabetes (P<0.001).Conclusion:It can be concluded that acceptance and commitment therapy has a greater impact on the quality of life and health-promoting behaviors of women with gestational diabetes than compassion-focused therapy. It encourages individuals to communicate their experiences fully and without resistance as they move towardstheir worthy goals and to accept them without judgment. Declaration of Interest: Non
An Anthropometric Investigation of Index Finger Length Ratio to Ring Finger (2d:4d) in Men with Schizophrenia Living in Khorasan Razavi
Get PDFIntroduction: Schizophrenia is a group of mental disorders that its main characteristics are failure to understand reality and inability to do daily tasks. Anthropometry, which is a type of biometrics, is a science that measures the dimensions and angles of body parts, as well as skin lines and fingerprints on living people. Perhaps knowledge about natural features of finger dimensions provides useful information in the field of medical anthropometry. Therefore, anthropometric properties of the fingers can be used to identify and develop research in this topic. And given that finger length, like brain development, is formed by a family of developmental genes. So, the objective was to find a link between brain violation and finger length.
Methods: This study was a case-control and cross-sectional sampling was done in the one-year. The index and ring finger lengths of both hands in 62 men with schizophrenia and 72 healthy subjects who were not diagnosed and aged 18 to 65 years old living in Khorasan Razavi were measured by digital caliper.
Results: Significant differences were observed between the average index finger lengths (2d:4d) in men’s right hand of healthy men and men with schizophrenia. Among other variables, significant differences weren’t observed between healthy and patients.
Conclusion: It may seem that the results above are used by methods for genetic studies of biometric changes in patients with schizophrenia from the index finger length ratio to the right and left ring fingers for further studies to make an estimation and generation. It’s essential to spread the similar statistical research wider statistical societies.
Conflict of Interest Declaration: Not declared
Exercise Behavior and Self-Efficacy of Medical Students Based on Stages of Change Model
Get PDFIntroduction: Despite the benefits of exercisemany people in different countries specially students, have not enough physical activity. The aim of this research is to study exercise behavior of medical students in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences based on stages of change model and assess itsrelationship with students’ self-efficacy.Method: All of the 309 students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences participated in this cross-sectional study. The data collection methodwas a questionnaire which consistedof four parts: demographic characteristics, the pattern of weekly physical activity, the level of exercise behavior which was based on stages of change model and finally the questions which assess exercises self-efficacy. Results: Atotalof 309students(46.6% male and 53.4% female) participated in this study. The mean (SD) of their age was 21.57 (2.20). Based on the stages of change model 117 (37.9%) students were on the pre-contemplation stage. 78 (25.2%), 45 (14.6%), 27 (8.7%) and 42 (13.6%) students were on the contemplation, readiness, action and maintenance stage, respectively. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between students’ exercise self-efficacyand their stages of change (p< 0.001).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, exercise self-efficacy had an important role in students’ exercise behavior. Therefore, it seems to be important for related institutions such as Physical Education Organization tofocus a part of their activities on improving thelevel of exercise self-efficacy in students. Declaration of Interest: Non
Health Behavior Constructs Scale (HBCS) for Breast Cancer Screening: Development, Validity and Reliability
Get PDFIntroduction: Given the importance of screening as one of the health behaviors in breast cancer, the aim of this research is to develop and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of Health Behavior Constructs Scale (HBCS) for breast cancer screening.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 376 women who referred to Javaheri Health Center during the study period due to health problems, were selected through convenience sampling method. Then, the instrument was developed and its content and face validities were examined. To ensure divergent and convergent validity, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used. Internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha) was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of the Health Behavior Constructs Scale and SPSS and LISREL software were applied for analyzing data.Results: The findings of this study provided strong supports, which confirmed the content and face validities. Regarding the convergent and divergent validity, perceived vulnerability, perceived severity and deterioration, and perceived barriers have a direct and significant relationship with the three variables of depression, anxiety, and stress. On the other hand, perceived self-efficacy and perceived motivation had a significant inverse correlation with all three variables of depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of the Cronbach's alpha indicated the appropriate internal consistency of the whole questionnaire and its components. Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire was 0.75. According to confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness of fit indicators of proposed model were confirmed and all paths were significant.Conclusion: HBCS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring the screening behavior of breast cancer in Iranian women and it appears to be a comprehensive and useful instrument for assessing women's beliefs related to breast cancer and breast cancer screening
The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Sexual arousal, Intimacy and Self-concept of Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder, a Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textIntroduction: Sexual satisfaction is one of the most basic aspects of cohabitation and is a key factor in the quality of human life. Sexual arousal disorder is a clinical diagnosis for female sexual dysfunction characterized by decreased libido and sexual arousal accompanied by anxiety. The present study is the first clinical trial in Iranian society to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on arousal, intimacy and sexual self-concept of women with sexual arousal disorder. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 30 women with a diagnosis of sexual interest/arousal disorder were selected from patients referred to medical centers in Isfahan using purposive sampling based on screening and were assigned into two treatment and wait-list groups using block randomization method. The designed treatment package based on acceptance and commitment was presented to the experimental group for eight weekly sessions. The three indices of arousal, intimacy and sexual self-concept were evaluated in three time stages and the data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (rANOVA). Results: Preliminary results showed that acceptance and commitment therapy had a significant effect on the three indices of arousal, intimacy and sexual self-concept (all p's <0.05). Secondary results showed that the effectiveness of treatment remained stable until the 3-month follow-up stage (all p's <0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on the indices of arousal, intimacy and sexual self-concept. These findings may be associated with clinical applications in the design of therapeutic interventions in this area
The Effectiveness of Communication Imagery Training (Imago Therapy) Approach on Post-Traumatic Growth and Development in Couples with Spouse Infidelity: The Effectiveness of Communication Imagery Training (Imago Therapy) Approach on Post-Traumatic Growth and Development in Couples with Spouse Infidelity
No full textBackground and Aim:Marital infidelity is a shocking issue for couples and families and a common phenomenon for counselors and therapists. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the communication imagery (imago therapy) training approach on post-traumatic growth and development in couples with marital infidelity.
Materials and Methods:This semi-experimental study was carried out on two experimental and control groups with a pretest and posttest design. The statistical population of the study included all the women referring to one of the counseling centers in Tehran, during 2018-2019 due to marital conflicts, problems related to satisfaction, and the need for the improvement of marital relationships. They were selected by convenient sampling method. Imago therapy treatment was performed in 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes) for participants in experimental group. The control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected based on post-traumatic growth and development questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistical methods and multivariate analysis of covariance were used using SPSS.22 software.
Results:The results showed that communication imagery training (imago therapy) was effective on post-traumatic growth and development (F=92.17, P<0.001) in couples with infidelity.
Conclusion:It can be concluded that communication imagery training (imago therapy) helps couples to acquire skills to heal past wounds and separate marital relationships from past influences by understanding their unconscious processes
The Effectiveness of compassion focused therapy on developmental assets in adolescent with cancer
Get PDFBackground and Aim:The efficiency of The Compassion-Focused Therapy on development assets in adolescent with cancer were examined.
Materials and Methods:The study was carried out as a quasi-experimental study with pretest/posttest design and a control group. The study population consisted of 30 teenagers at the age range of 12-18 years. They were selected through simple random sampling method and grouped in control and experimental groups. The experimental group attended eight training sessions (90min) of Compassion Focused Therapy. Data gathering tools were developmental assets scale Minnesota.
Results:The MANCOVA showed that compassion-focused therapy had a positive and significant effect on more elements on developmental assets(P<0.01). So that there was a significant difference between the control and experiment groups in terms of the elements support, empowerment, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity (P<0.01). However, the difference was not significant with the expectations (P>0.05).
Conclusion:The findings showed that CFT was effective in improving social relationships and acceptability by others through special concentration on awareness, expressing love, and kindness in teenagers with cancer
The Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) Among Iranian Methamphetamine Abusers
Get PDFBackground and Aim:Drug craving as a multidimensional subjective experience recently is accepted as a hallmark for addiction. The Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), measures the overall craving level within a period from a multidimensional perspective. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the OCDUSamong Iranian methamphetamine abusers.
Materials and Methods:OCDUS was translated from English into Farsi by language experts. The questionnaire was then used for evaluation of craving among 50 male methamphetamine abusers. Then, OCDUS questionnaire' scores was subjected to exploratory principal components factor analysis. To assess construct validity of OCDUS, the model was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was examined by calculating Cronbach’s alpha.
Results:Exploratory factor analysis identified 2-dimensional components that included, "Desire consumption and mental employment with materials", "The Impact of drug desire and Thoughts on Consumer Work and Life". Finally, the Persian version of OCDUS was verified with 10 items and two factors with high eigenvalues 76.5% of the total variance. Given the relative fit of the confirmatory factor model, the construct validity of the OCDUS was verified.
Conclusion:The Farsi-translated version of OCDUS questionnaires had good psychometric properties. The questionnaire could be considered as a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of drug craving level in Iranian methamphetamine abusers