Shiva Zarezadeh Kheibari, Mohammad Ebrahim Hokm Abadi, Ali Mohebi Anabat, Shima Shakiba, Seyedeh Fatemeh Hosseini Largany,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (4-2014)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of expressive arts therapy on decreasing anxiety of orphaned girls living in family-like centers of Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: One week prior to final examinations, participants were randomly assigned to either an expressive art-making group or a control group. The State-trait anxiety inventory was administered before and after participation. Expressive art making activities included painting or coloring predesigned Mandalas, free-form painting, collage making, still life drawing, and modeling with clay.
Results: The mean state anxiety score between pre-activity and post-activity decreased significantly in the expressive art-making group, whereas no difference was found in the control group. Similarly, the mean trait anxiety score between pre- and post-activity in the artmaking group was significantly lower, and no difference was observed in the controls.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that a brief period of expressive art making can significantly reduce a person’s state of anxiety, which may have implications for art and art therapy programs that offer methods for helping orphaned children coping with stress.
Mohammad Ashori, Gholam Ali Afrooz, Ali Akbar Arjmandnia, Masoume Pourmohamadreza-Tajrishi, Bagher Ghobari-Bonab,
Volume 3, Issue 1 (1-2015)
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group Triple-P on the relationships of mother-child with ID (Intellectual Disability).
Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design by control group, Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) was determined in 40 random clustering selected mothers of children with ID before and after the intervention. The aim of the scale was to obtain information with regard to emotional aspects such as conflict, closeness, dependency, and positive relationship. The mothers were randomly assigned in experimental and control group with equal numbers. Experimental group participated in 8 sessions (each session lasts for 60 minutes twice a week) and were trained by Triple-P, but control group did not. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data by using SPSS software (version 16, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
Results: There were significant differences between experimental and control group with respect to emotional aspects such as conflict, closeness, dependency, and positive relationship as a whole after participation in intervention sessions (P<0.001).
Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in conflict and increase in closeness, dependency, and positive relationship in experimental group. Our findings showed that group Triple-P has led to promotion of relationships of mother-child with ID.
Alireza Aghayusefi, Hasan Mirzahoseini, Mahnaz Khazaeli, Aliakbar Assarnia,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (4-2016)
Abstract
Objective: Educating families and caregivers of schizophrenic patients on controlling and managing the disorder, has found particular importance in clinical psychology. The present study aims to examine the effect of Psychoeducational interventions on illness management in families of schizophrenic patients.
Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest design, and two control groups. The study sample consisted of 30 families with a schizophrenic member. The families were selected from referrals to a psychiatric center in Tehran (during a period of 40 days) who met the inclusion criteria, and were randomly placed into three groups: an experimental group, a control group with placebo, and a control group without placebo (10 persons in each group). A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The experimental group received trainings (a training package) and attended a group discussion on schizophrenia. The placebo group attended similar meetings, but without educational content and group discussion, and the second control group were only assessed in the pretest and posttest. After finishing the training sessions, and following an interval of 3 months, the posttest was conducted for each group. The study data were analyzed using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). All statistics were carried out using SPSS software, version 11.
Results: According to the results, the experimental group had significantly higher gain scores (α≤0.05) than the two control groups, on the following variables: an increase in the adaptability of the patient in daily functioning, from the viewpoint of both a clinical psychologist and the patient’s family, an increase in the family’s knowledge of the illness, and a reduction in the
adverse effects of the illness on the family’s feeling and attitude.
Conclusion: The present study showed that family education is effective in increasing patients’ adaptability and patients’ family knowledge, and in reducing the adverse effects of the illness.
Dana Mohammad Aminzadeh, Yousef Asmari, Sara Karimi, Farideh Hosiensabet, Mehdi Sharifi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (1-2018)
Abstract
Objective: Disability can affect people’s quality of life and lead to lower mental health in life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching emotion regulation skills as a way to increase subjective well-being in students with a physical disability.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design, with pretest-posttest, and control group. The study population comprised high school male students (n=26) with a physical disability who were studying in the Soroush school, Tehran, a special school for students with a physical disability. Students were selected by Purposive sampling method and were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups (n=13, each group). The experimental group received eight sessions (twice a week) of emotion regulation skills, while the control group followed their daily routine. Keyes and Magyar-Moe Mental Health Continuum-Long Form (MHC-LF) were compared before and after the intervention between experimental and control groups.
Results: The findings of this study demonstrated that training of emotion regulation skills has a significant effect in the experimental group on increasing the subjective well-being of students with a physical disability (P<0.05) in comparison to control group. Data analysis was done using statistical software SPSS (version 23). MANCOVA test was performed to examine differences between the two groups
Conclusion: The training of emotion regulation skills could be an effective tool in improving the subjective well-being of students with a physical disability in the experimental group. The group training needs to be adopted by medical practitioners on a cohort for validating its effectiveness on a larger population.
Esmaeil Asadpour, Maryam Sadat Hosseini,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (10-2018)
Abstract
Objective: This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive group therapy on self-efficacy and depression among divorced women.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design with control group. In this study, all divorced women referring to Hazrate Zeinab Charity Institution in Varamin City, Iran were considered as the statistical population with a sample size of 30 subjects who were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). A weekly cognitive group therapy was applied to the experimental group for 12 sessions, but the control group was placed on the waiting list. Assessment instruments consisted of general self-efficacy scale and Beck depression questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using multivariable analysis of covariance.
Results: Cognitive group therapy led to significant increase in self-efficacy (df=1, P<0.05, F=66.05) and significant decrease in depression (df=1, P<0.05, F=108.65) among divorced women.
Conclusion: According to the results, cognitive group therapy is an effective way of decreasing depression and increasing self-efficiency in divorced women.
Mojgan Khademi, Fatemeh Ayatmehr, Najmeh Khosravan Mehr, Katayoon Razjooyan, Rozita Davari Ashtiani, Fariba Arabgol,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (1-2019)
Abstract
Objective: Positive Parenting Program (Triple-P) is an approved method of parent training for reducing child behavioral problems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of standard level of Triple-P in improving behavioral problems and core Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms of preschool children diagnosed with ADHD.
Methods: The study was conducted on 94 mothers who had preschool children with ADHD (53 subjects and 41 controls), referred to child psychiatry clinic at Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The subjects were selected by purposive sampling method. Mothers with adjusted homogeneous demographic factors responded to study questionnaires (pre-test and post-test) in both groups. The subject group received child-rearing intervention Triple-p and the control group received the routine clinical treatment. The obtained data were analyzed by analysis of covariance in SPSS.
Results: A significant decrease was observed in ADHD symptoms based on Conner’s questionnaire in the subjects compared to controls (P=0.001). Parent depression index in the subject group was significant compared to control group (P=0.005). In addition, results related to parent problem scale in the subject group indicated a significant improvement compared to control group (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Triple-p can reduce ADHD symptoms and behavioral problems and improve the capabilities of preschool children with ADHD.
Mahdi Omidian, Isaac Rahimian Boogar, Siavash Talepasand, Mahmoud Najafi, Manijeh Kaveh,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (1-2019)
Abstract
Objective: Marital adjustment of wives is associated with the satisfaction and stability of the marital life. It is among the most valuable perspectives for counselors and therapists focusing on improving couples’ relationships. This research was conducted with the aim of cultural tailoring and determining the effectiveness of “couples coping enhancement training” on improving marital adjustment of wives.
Methods: The study has quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test and control/placebo group with 6 months of follow-up. The statistical population consisted of the couples referring to the court of Shahr-e Kord in spring 2017 because of marital problems. The study sample comprised 36 couples selected through convenient sampling method and 12 couples were assigned randomly to the experimental, placebo and control group each. The couples of the experimental group received the administration of “couples coping enhancement training” based on cultural tailoring in 9 group sessions once a week. The placebo group had sessions with a therapist in 9 group sessions once a week and control group did not receive any intervention. The dyadic adjustment Scale was used for data collection. The obtained data were analyzed by variance analysis with the repeated measures analysis of variance in SPSS V. 21.
Results: The couples receiving the couples coping enhancement training based on cultural tailoring reported a significant difference in the mean scores of marital adjustment of wives compared to placebo and control group couples in pre-test and 6 months follow-up (F=9.113, P<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, couples coping enhancement training is an effective method for improving marital adjustment of wives.
Seyedhadi Yeganehfarzand, Kianoush Zahrakar, Farshad Mohsenzadeh,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (4-2019)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of narrative therapy on reducing the fear of intimacy in couples.
Methods: To achieve this purpose, the present research opted for a quasi-experimental study, including pre-test and post-test with a control group. The study population included couples seeking improvement in their relationships who attended Delphi Clinic, a center for counseling and psychological services in Tehran City, Iran. The study sample consisted of 12 couples (24 individuals) who had achieved the highest scores compared to the mean scores in the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS). Sampling was carried out through a purposive sampling method, and the members were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (each containing 6 couples). Having performed the pre-test and completed the FIS, the experimental group participated in the two-hour sessions of narrative therapy for 14 weeks, and the control group was put on the waiting list. At the end of the sessions, all 12 couples responded to the FIS again as the post-test.
Results: The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance. According to the obtained results, 75% of the differences observed in the scores of the post-test FIS were caused by the effect of narrative therapy intervention. Therefore, with a 99% confidence, narrative therapy can reduce the fear of intimacy in couples when compared to the control group.
Conclusion: In summary, couple narrative therapy can reduce the fear of intimacy by constructing new meanings in couples’ lives.
Mahdi Amini, Mozhgan Lotfi, Reyhaneh Fatemitabar, Leila Bahrampoori,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Objective: The relationship between emotional symptoms and addictive behaviors is essential. Moreover, short and effective interventions to treat these behaviors are required. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Emotion-Focused Group Therapy (EFGT) on the reduction of negative emotions and internet addiction symptoms.
Methods: This was an experimental study with a Pre-test-Post-test, and a control group design. The study participants included 40 students from the University of Bu-Ali-Sina in Hamedan City, Iran. They were selected by purposive sampling methods. The study participants were selected and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (n=20 for each group). The experimental group participated in 12 one-hour sessions of EFGT; however, the controls received no intervention. For data collection, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and thePositive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-.
Results: The obtained results have suggested that EFGT reduced negative emotions and the internet addiction symptoms (i.e. social problems, impact on performance, the lack of control, pathological use, and neglecting duties) (P<0.001). It also increased positive emotions (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Applying emotional strategies, as guidance in the clinical interview of internet addiction problems, with the use of emotional interventions, is recommended. Moreover, it could improve the clinical symptoms and increase the positive emotions, as a protective factor against the Internet addiction disorder.
Pegah Pezeshki, Hoda Doos Ali Vand, Maryam Aslzaker, Mehdi Jafari,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (7-2020)
Abstract
Objective: Emotion Coaching Parenting Program (ECPP) is one of the treatment programs focused on emotions and targets the way parents and children interact emotionally. Although the effectiveness of ECPP on children with internalizing disorders has been proved previously, the effects of this program have not been investigated in Iranian preschoolers with a range of internalizing disorders. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of ECPP when used by mothers of preschoolers with internalizing disorders.
Methods: The current randomized controlled trial was done on 31 participants who were randomly assigned to the ECPP (n=15) and control (n=16) groups that completed all treatment sessions. Data were collected at three stages of pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-months follow-up, using Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Emotion Regulation Checklist, Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist, and Maternal Emotional Styles Questionnaire.
Results: Repeated measures ANOVA tests were conducted to test differences between the intervention and control groups for maternal emotion regulation and maternal emotion coaching. The results indicated significant improvements in emotional awareness and emotion regulation of mothers in the intervention group at post-intervention and follow-up compared with the pre-intervention, while no significant improvements were found in the control group. Children in both groups showed improvements in emotional lability/negativity at post-intervention, but the improvements were significantly higher in the intervention group. Children of the intervention group also showed higher improvements in emotion regulation compared with the control group. Additionally, significant reductions in the symptoms of children’s internalizing disorders at post-intervention and follow-up were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group.
Conclusion: ECPP can be one of the effective treatments for reducing the symptoms of children’s internalizing disorders and improving the emotion regulation of parent and child.
Mandana Poorhejazi, Javad Khalatbari, Shohreh Ghorban Shiroudi, Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Objective: Marital conflicts are normal in a couple’s life, and the important thing is how they resolve such conflicts. This integrated therapy plan has been created by considering several theories to reduce couples’ marital conflicts. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a unified protocol based on the McMaster model of the family, compassion-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy on emotional divorce and marital boredom of women with marital conflict.
Methods: The present study used a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test design and a control group. The research population included all women with marital conflicts referred to four selected counseling centers in District 2 of Tehran Municipality, Iran, in 2019. A total of 100 women were selected by a convenient sampling method. Then, they filled out the emotional divorce scale and the marital disaffection scale. They were then randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups (each group with 15 participants). The participants in the intervention group underwent the intervention within a 12-session training package. After the 3 months, the follow-up test was taken. Upon the completion of the intervention, the participants in both groups completed the questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) by SPSS V. 24 software.
Results: The results indicated a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of emotional divorce (P=0.001, F=57.67) and marital boredom (P=0.001, F=26.80) in the post-test phase. Besides, after 3 months, using Bonferroni post hoc test, it was found that the difference in scores in both post-test and follow-up stages was significant (P=0.005)
Conclusion: The transdiagnostic treatment can decrease emotional divorce and marital boredom of women with marital conflict. This unified model can be applied by family and marriage counselors and other mental health professionals to resolve conflicts between couples.
Somayeh Seyed Karimi, Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee, Mohammad Reza Falsafinejad,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (4-2021)
Abstract
Objective: The birth of the first child and the couple’s transition to parenthood can significantly change individuals’ marital life. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify psychological challenges to transition to parenthood in first-time parents.
Methods: The study employed a qualitative approach based on the content analysis method. The research population included all first-time parents who were referred to the Amjadieh Khaghani Community Counseling Center in District 7 of Tehran City, Iran, from May to August 2020. Besides, the studied couples had a child aged <4 years old. The study participants were 17 couples (n=34 subjects) who were selected using the purposive sampling technique and based on the theoretical saturation criterion. The required data were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with the research participants. The interviews were recorded, then transcribed verbatim. eventually, after the extraction, the obtained data were coded and categorized using a content analysis method in MAXQDA.
Results: Analyzing the obtained data revealed that the transition to parenthood can typically be considered either a positive or negative experience. The most serious challenges faced by couples in the transition to parenthood included ambiguity and changes in the spousal role; duality and conflict in the motherhood role; feeling restricted and prevented from pursuing personal goals; psychological and emotional support from the family and husband; parenting disagreements; changes in sexual relations; fear of the failure to financially support the child; dissatisfaction with the appearance and weight change, and differences in parenting practices. The core theme was the transition to parenthood; from couples to parents.
Conclusion: Transition to parenthood seems to be a vital change in the lives of couples; thus, some measures are required to prepare couples for such a transition. The insights from this study can help family counselors, midwives, and family nurses to develop and hold training and preparation programs for couples; such services should be provided to the couples before experiencing parenthood. This could prepare parents for the challenges of their new life.
Shahrbanoo Ghahari, Leili Jamil, Nazanin Farrokhi, Reza Davoodi,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (4-2021)
Abstract
Objective: Marital conflict can be described as the state of tension or stress between couples. Accordingly, couples who are unable to regulate their negative emotions experience fragile relationships. This study aimed to compare the effects of Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Cognitive Emotion Regulation (CER) strategies and marital conflict.
Methods: The study sample included 28 married women who were randomly assigned to the EFCT and ACT groups. The questionnaire battery included the Questionnaire of Marital Conflicts, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Second Edition of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (SCID-II).
Results: The result of the Independent Samples t-test indicated no difference in pretest scores of the study participants. However, significant differences were determined between the study groups in the posttest phase (P<0.001). Additionally, the Paired Samples t-test results revealed significant differences between pretest and posttest scores between the EFCT (P<0.001) and ACT (P<0.028 for marital conflict, P<0.001 for adaptive CER strategies, & P<0.031 for non-adaptive CER strategies) groups. Moreover, EFCT was clinically more effective than ACT. Accordingly, the effect size of EFCT and ACT for marital conflict was measured as 2.33 and 0.83; respecting adaptive and non-adaptive CER strategies, these values were computed as 2.89 and 2.02 as well as 2.89 and 0.88, respectively.
Conclusion: Overall, EFCT and ACTT were effective in improving marital conflict and CER strategies. Besides, EFCT was clinically more effective than ACT in this regard.
Bahareh Boor Boor, Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee, Mohammad Reza Falsafinejad,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (7-2021)
Abstract
Objective: In the current world, one of the parent-adolescent communication challenges is overusing the Internet and digital devices. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the parent-child relationship enrichment training package with an emphasis on Internet use in parents and their adolescent daughters.
Methods: This study was conducted using the exploratory sequential mixed methods design. The research population consisted of parents and their female adolescent children studying in the junior secondary school in District 11 of Tehran City, Iran, in 2020. In the qualitative phase of the study, 15 parents were selected using the purposive sampling method, and then semi-structured interviews were held with them. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s (2014) grounded-theory approach to extract related categories and subcategories. Afterward, the parent-child relationship enrichment training package was developed with an emphasis on Internet use. The participants in the intervention group received the training for twelve 1.5 hour sessions. The collected data were analyzed using the multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS v. 21.
Results: The validation results showed that the parent-child relationship enrichment training package was effective in promoting media literacy (F=310.972; P<0.05), improving the mother-child relationship (F=57.76; P<0.05), improving the father-child relationship (F=1503.863; P<0.05), and reducing the problematic use of the Internet in female adolescents (F=402.084; P<0.05).
Conclusion: The parent-child enrichment education intervention with emphasis on Internet use was designed to fit the context and lifestyle of female adolescents studying in District 11 of Tehran. It can help parents reduce adolescent-parent conflicts and improve the quality of adolescent-parent interaction.
Fatemeh Fani Sobhani, Shohreh Ghorban Shiroudi, Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (10-2021)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Aceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and schema therapy on forgiveness and fear of intimacy in conflicting couples.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The participants were selected from the conflicting couples who were referred to counseling and psychological service centers in districts 1 and 5 of Tehran in 2019. Of the couples who scored high on the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale and obtained a low score on the Interpersonal Forgiveness Inventory, 30 couples (60 people) were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the schema therapy group (10 couples), the ACT group (10 couples), and the control group (10 couples). Then, the participants in each of the intervention groups attended eight 90-minute therapy sessions based on ACT and Schema therapy techniques. After the interventions, the participants in the three groups completed the questionnaires again and were followed up after three months.
Results: The results showed that both ACT and schema therapy had a significant effect on fear of intimacy and forgiveness. Upon controlling the pre-test score, significant differences were found between the two ACT and schema therapy groups in terms of reconnection and revenge control (P<0.01), but the two groups were not significantly different in terms of resentment control, realistic perceptions, and fear of intimacy and schema couple therapy was more effective than ACT in controlling conflicting couples’ revenge and improving reconnection and this greater effectiveness was still retained in the follow-up phase.
Conclusion: ACT and schema-based couple therapies can be used by psychologists and counselors as effective approaches to increase forgiveness and reduce fear of intimacy in couples. However, schema couple therapy is more effective than ACT in controlling negative emotions and treating them in couples.
Sepideh Minoosepehr, Ahmad Karbalaei Mohammad Meyguni, Mansooreh Nikoogoftar, Masoud Gholamali Lavasani,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Objective: With the development of technology and easy access to various contents in the Internet, pornography consumption, along with individual characteristics, can be one of the factors affecting couples’ relationships. This study aimed to assess the role of pornography consumption and sexual perfectionism with the mediating role of sexual self-concept on marital burnout among university students in Iran.
Methods: The research was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The study population consisted of married students of Islamic Azad University, of which 210 answered online to Pornography Consumption Inventory (PCI), the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSCQ), multidimensional sexual perfectionism questionnaire (MSPQ), and couple burnout measure. The PCI and MSSCQ questionnaires were translated into Persian for the first time and used after confirming their validity and reliability. Correlation coefficients (using SPSS software v. 26) and path analysis (using LISREL statistical software) were used to investigate the variables of the couple burnout prediction model.
Results: Based on the study results, positive sexual self-concept was not related to marital burnout. However, negative self-concept was positively related to marital burnout. There was no direct relationship between pornography and marital burnout, but there is a positive relationship with the mediating role of negative sexual self-concept. Sexual perfectionism was positively associated with marital burnout. Negative sexual self-concept also mediates between sexual perfectionism and marital burnout.
Conclusion: The results indicated that high sexual perfectionism was associated with higher marital burnout and individual with negative sexual self-concept under the influence of pornography and high sexual perfectionism were more prone to marital burnout.
Milad Shirkhani, Shahrbanoo Aali, Maryam Khoshkhui, Golnaz Rafizadeh-Ardabili,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (4-2022)
Abstract
Objective: Allergic rhinitis, as a global health problem, accounts for several psychological disorders, including fatigue, mood changes, depression, anxiety, and disrupted Quality of Life. How people cope with the symptoms of this disease is essential. The present research is pioneering in comparing the QoL, psychological state, and cognitive emotion regulation strategies of patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy individuals.
Methods: Aligned with the purpose of the study, 132 patients and 132 healthy subjects were assigned to two groups. Both groups responded to the QoL symptom checklist (SCL90) and a short form of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). One-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was run to make between-group comparisons.
Results: The findings revealed that allergic patients had a lower QoL. Similarly, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in physical health, environmental life, and overall QoL. Clinical symptoms prevailed more in the allergic group compared to the healthy. Also, these two groups differed significantly regarding somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and anxiety sub-scales. The healthy group used more adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (for instance, acceptance and positive reevaluation) than the allergic group. In addition, statistically significant divergences were found in the catastrophizing strategy, which prevailed more in the allergic group.
Conclusion: Given the present findings, patients with allergic rhinitis have lower psychological health and QoL compared to the healthy population. These unfavorable conditions can result from inefficient use of cognitive emotion regulation strategies that mutually link allergic and clinical symptoms to the patients’ QoL.
Amir Zolali, Seyed Hamid Atashpour, Ilnaz Sajjadian,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (7-2022)
Abstract
Objective: Most studies have focused only on the neuroticism superstructure and the reduction of its symptoms, while there is no comprehensive model on the treatment of neuroticism infrastructurally. This research aimed to develop an identity-based psychodrama package and compare the effect of this therapy with psychodrama on neuroticism.
Methods: This research consists of five studies. The first study was qualitative research with Attride-Stirling’s thematic analysis method. The research community in this stage for analyzing themes affecting identity achievement included all papers related to identity aspects. The second study was a qualitative content analysis based on an inductive approach through a semi-structured interview with neurotic individuals. The third study was a quantitative analysis, and an educational-therapeutic package was developed. The fourth study was of validation type with Lawshe’s method. The population in this stage included all specialized psychologists in identity issues. The last study was a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest type with a control group and a follow-up period of 60 days. The population in this stage included all people referred to Pendar Nik Counseling Center in Najafabad City, Isfahan Province, Iran, in 2020. Finally, 60 people were selected and randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group. To collect data, the 5-factor inventory was used.
Results: The first study’s results suggested 8 general themes, and with additional information in the second study, the identity-based psychodrama package was developed in the third study. The results of the fourth study indicated the validity of the package by the evaluators. The results of the previous study showed that the mean scores of neuroticism in the two experimental groups significantly differed from the control group scores. Besides, identity-based psychodrama was more effective in reducing neuroticism than psychodrama (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Compared with psychodrama, the identity-based psychodrama package is more effective in reducing neuroticism.
Tahmineh Tavaloli, Seyed Ali Kimiaee, Hamidreza Agha Mohammadian,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (7-2022)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Training in Marriage Enrichment (TIME) plan on increasing marital intimacy and psychological security of married women.
Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study subjects (40 married women living in Mashhad City, Iran) were selected for the TIME plan with the available sampling method and according to the criteria for accepting couples. Then, they were randomly allocated to two equal groups. Of these, 20 were in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. The experimental group, along with regular medical care, received TIME plan for 8 weekly sessions of 2 hours (from May up to the end of July 2021) in the Psychology Clinic of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad City, Iran. The control group received only regular medical care in this period. Both groups responded to the Iranian version of the Bagarozzi marital intimacy needs questionnaire, and Maslow’s psychological security-insecurity questionnaire before the intervention (pretest) and immediately after the intervention (posttest).
Results: After controlling the subjects’ age and education, the results of the statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the TIME plan on increasing the marital intimacy of women who were in the experimental group compared to the control group (P=0.001). Nevertheless, this plan did not increase women’s psychological security (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this research show the importance and impact of the TIME plan training on increasing women’s marital intimacy, but it does not increase women’s psychological security. Therefore, in marriage counseling and interventions, it is possible to use the educational package of the TIME plan to improve the relationship of couples and increase their intimacy.
Zahra Nazemi, Mojgan Sepahmansour, Parvaneh Mohammadkhani, Sadegh Tagiloo,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (10-2022)
Abstract
Objective: Given the prevalence of divorce and the growing trend of marital problems, it is necessary to investigate the factors that affect the interpersonal relationships of couples. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in explaining the causal relationship between communication skills and emotional expression with empathy in divorce applicants.
Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study with path analysis. The statistical population consisted of all men and women who applied for a divorce (age range: 30-50) and were referred to the counseling centers of the Judiciary in Tehran City, Iran, during 2020-2021. The sample size included 396 cases and it was selected via the convenience sampling method. To collect the data, standard questionnaires of self-compassion, communication skills, couple empathy, and emotional expression were used. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, v. 21, and AMOS v. 24.
Results: The results showed the fitness of the model (comparative fit index=0.953, goodness of fit index=0.954, adjusted goodness of fit index=0.895 and root mean square error of approximation=0.082). The model explained about 34% of the variance of a couple’s empathy in divorce applicants.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, the relationship between a couple’s empathy with communication skills and emotional expression is not a direct relationship and various factors, such as marital empathy can strengthen or weaken this relationship.
