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Fatemeh Zahra Mazhari; Babollah Bakhshipour Joybari; Hoda babai kafaki
Abstract
Objective: One of the common psychological challenges during adolescence is precocious puberty. Differentiating between normal and real precocious puberty, especially in its early stages, can be complex and difficult due to the subtle and overlapping nature of symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral ...
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Objective: One of the common psychological challenges during adolescence is precocious puberty. Differentiating between normal and real precocious puberty, especially in its early stages, can be complex and difficult due to the subtle and overlapping nature of symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MB-CBT) has emerged as a promising intervention specifically aimed at improving the psychological well-being of adolescents experiencing early puberty. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MB-CBT on body image concerns, fear of negative evaluation, and peer relationships in adolescent girls with precocious puberty. Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest-posttest structure with a control group and random selection. The statistical population included all girls aged 11 to 13 diagnosed with precocious puberty who visited the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic in Sari over the past five years (from the first half of 2019 to the first half of 2023). Based on the clinic’s records, approximately 400 individuals met the inclusion criteria. Through purposive sampling, 30 girls were selected based on their demographic characteristics, including age, gender, and medical history. These participants were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). Both groups completed pretest and posttest assessments. The experimental group participated in an 8-session MB-CBT intervention, each session lasting 90 minutes and conducted once a week over two months. The protocol was based on the MB-CBT manual developed by Bahraini et al. (2022). The control group did not receive any psychological intervention but remained in contact with the research team throughout the study. Data collection tools included the Body Image Concern Inventory (Littleton et al., 2005), the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (Leary, 1983), and the Peer Relationship Questionnaire (Hudson, 1992). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 26. Assumptions of normality were tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: The analysis confirmed that the data met the assumptions of normality. After controlling for the pretest scores, the results indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the posttest scores for all three variables: body image concern (F = 21.07, p < .05), fear of negative evaluation (F = 50.29, p < .05), and peer relationships (F = 58.19, p < .05). These findings support the effectiveness of MB-CBT in alleviating psychological difficulties associated with early puberty. Conclusion: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps adolescent girls with early puberty better identify and manage negative thoughts related to body image by promoting present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance. Rather than directly challenging these thoughts, the intervention modifies the individual’s relationship with them, reducing mental rumination and psychological distress. Moreover, MB-CBT can effectively reduce fear of negative evaluation by increasing awareness of negative thought patterns and encouraging nonjudgmental acceptance, ultimately improving performance in social settings. By disrupting maladaptive cognitive cycles, this approach facilitates the development of healthier cognitive patterns, preventing the reinforcement of social anxiety. Thus, MB-CBT can be recommended as an effective intervention for reducing body image concerns and fear of negative evaluation, and for improving peer relationships in adolescent girls with precocious puberty. It is also suggested for use by child and adolescent psychologists, counselors, and educators working with this population.
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Ali Afshari
Abstract
Objective: Sexual dissatisfaction is a group of disorders whose main symptom is a persistent preference for playing the role of the opposite sex and having the feeling that the patient was born with the wrong sex, and this wrongness is very anxiety-provoking and a cause of depression for these people. ...
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Objective: Sexual dissatisfaction is a group of disorders whose main symptom is a persistent preference for playing the role of the opposite sex and having the feeling that the patient was born with the wrong sex, and this wrongness is very anxiety-provoking and a cause of depression for these people. In most cases, these people try to change their sex, which is unacceptable by society and family and can cause many problems for the individual. The aim of the present study was to compare psychological distress and suicidal behaviors among gender dissatisfied patients who applied for surgery, underwent surgery, and normal individuals. Method: The present study was a causal comparative study. The statistical population included all surgical candidates, those who underwent surgery, and 90 normal subjects (30 subjects for each group). In order to collect research data, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lavibond and Lavibond, 1995), the Suicidality Questionnaire (Beck, 1961), and the Revised Suicide Questionnaire (Osman et al., 2001) were used. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22 software. Results: Based on the results obtained, there is a significant difference between the surgical candidate and normal subjects in all three variables of anxiety, stress, and depression. There is also a significant difference between suicidal thoughts and attempts during life between the applicant and normal groups and between the normal and surgical groups (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in the frequency of suicide attempts in the past year (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in the threat of suicide (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups in the probability of attempting suicide in the future (P <0.05). Finally, there is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in suicidal thoughts (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that correct diagnosis and gender reassignment among gender dysphoric individuals can have a positive effect on mental health and reduce suicidal behaviors .
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Kajbaf Mohammad Bagher; Moslem Siahpoush monfared
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, and psychological functioning among patients with asthma. Asthma is not only a chronic respiratory condition but also a disorder that exerts a profound ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, and psychological functioning among patients with asthma. Asthma is not only a chronic respiratory condition but also a disorder that exerts a profound psychological burden on individuals, often leading to heightened stress, maladaptive coping strategies, and diminished quality of life. Therefore, addressing psychological aspects alongside medical treatment is of paramount importance. Method: This research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments and a control group. The study population comprised asthma patients who attended specialized asthma and allergy clinics in Khoramabad during 2022. Using purposive sampling, 30 eligible participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria required having a confirmed asthma diagnosis within the past year, being between 20 and 45 years of age, willingness and ability to regularly attend therapeutic sessions, and sufficient literacy to respond to questionnaires. Exclusion criteria included absence from more than two therapeutic sessions, lack of cooperation, unwillingness to continue participation, comorbid medical or psychological conditions, substance abuse, or incomplete responses to research instruments. Participants were randomly assigned into two equal groups (n = 15 per group). The experimental group received eight structured sessions of group-based ACT, while the control group continued to receive only routine medical treatment. Data were collected using three standardized self-report measures: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21). Pre-test questionnaires were administered to both groups before the intervention, and post-tests were administered after completion of the therapeutic sessions. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive indicators, paired and independent t-tests, as well as multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) via SPSS version 26. Results: The average age of participants was 39.76 ± 11.05 years in the experimental group and 39.66 ± 9.74 years in the control group. The results of paired-sample t-tests indicated that, following the ACT intervention, participants in the experimental group experienced statistically significant improvements in perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, and psychological functioning (P<0.05). In contrast, no significant changes were observed within the control group. Furthermore, independent t-test results confirmed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in pre-test scores, ensuring initial homogeneity. Assumptions of normality and equality of variances were also met, as confirmed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene’s tests (P>0.05). MANCOVA results revealed significant between-group differences in the post-test phase, favoring the experimental group, with an effect size (Eta squared) of 0.66. This suggests that approximately 66% of the observed changes in outcome measures were attributable to the ACT intervention. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an effective psychological intervention for asthma patients. By reducing perceived stress and enhancing cognitive flexibility, ACT contributes to improved psychological functioning and overall well-being. These results underscore the importance of integrating psychological therapies such as ACT into comprehensive asthma management programs, thereby addressing both physical and psychological dimensions of the illness. Future research is recommended to replicate these findings with larger samples and to explore the long-term effects of ACT in chronic respiratory conditions.
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Esmaiel soleymany; hanie pakravan
Abstract
Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. Treatments such as mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often lead to body image disturbances, reduced self-esteem, and lower quality ...
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Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women globally, with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences. Treatments such as mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often lead to body image disturbances, reduced self-esteem, and lower quality of life. Among psychological coping strategies, body acceptance, defined as acknowledging, normalizing, and adapting to bodily changes, plays a key role in promoting mental well-being in breast cancer patients. This study aimed to validate and norm the Body Acceptance Scale for Women with Breast Cancer (BAS-BC), a newly developed instrument designed to assess body acceptance among breast cancer survivors. The research evaluated the psychometric properties of the BAS-BC in an Iranian population. Method: A descriptive validation design was employed. Participants included 457 Iranian women diagnosed with breast cancer, recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected online through validated instruments: BAS-BC (Ahn & Suh, 2023), the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), and the SF-36 Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Pearson correlation, and Cronbach’s alpha, were conducted using SPSS-23 and AMOS-24. Results: CFA supported a six-factor structure of the BAS-BC (exposure, perception, adaptation, return to daily life, successful transition, and leap toward the future), consisting of 17 items. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84). Convergent validity was confirmed through significant correlations between BAS-BC scores and both MBSRQ and SF-36 measures. The six factors explained 82.5% of the total variance, indicating strong construct validity. Conclusion: The BAS-BC offers a robust tool for both research and clinical assessment of body acceptance among breast cancer patients. Its application can inform personalized therapeutic approaches aimed at improving psychosocial outcomes and quality of life. Future research should explore cultural influences on body acceptance and develop targeted interventions to support body image adjustment in this population.
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Maryam Shahmoradi Pilehrood; Majid Zarghamhajebi; Malek Mirhashemi
Abstract
Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common and chronic disease of the central nervous system that leads to the destruction of neuron myelin, causing disturbances in movement, speech, memory, and other bodily functions. The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, but genetic and environmental ...
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Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common and chronic disease of the central nervous system that leads to the destruction of neuron myelin, causing disturbances in movement, speech, memory, and other bodily functions. The exact cause of this disease is still unknown, but genetic and environmental factors play a role in its development. MS is three times more common in women than men and typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 50. The progression of the disease is unpredictable, and it can either progress rapidly or in periodic episodes. Patients with MS face anxiety and uncertainty about their future. A negative orientation towards problems, especially in the face of stress caused by the disease, leads to a reduced ability to solve problems and increased worry among patients. This study examines psychological tools, particularly the Negative Problem Orientation questionnaire, in MS patients, with the aim of validating the Persian version of this questionnaire. Method: This study was a descriptive correlational research conducted on 350 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who visited various centers in Tehran in 2022. The patients were categorized based on the duration of their illness (ranging from less than 5 years to over 20 years). The tools used included the Ambiguity Tolerance Scale and the Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire, which were translated into Persian using the back-translation method. Data analysis was performed through confirmatory factor analysis using various model fit indices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Persian version of the Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire in MS patients. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis empirically supported the unidimensional structure of the Persian version of the Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire in multiple sclerosis patients. Additionally, a significant positive correlation between negative problem orientation, cognitive avoidance, and ambiguity tolerance supported the construct validity of the questionnaire. The internal consistency of the questionnaire, measured by Cronbach's alpha, was found to be 0.945. This study analyzed the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The results confirmed the unidimensional structure of the questionnaire, supporting its construct validity. Significant positive correlations between negative problem orientation, ambiguity intolerance, and cognitive avoidance further supported the tool's validity. Additionally, the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) confirmed the tool’s reliability. Conclusion: The findings highlighted that MS patients' negative problem orientation is linked to higher levels of ambiguity intolerance and cognitive avoidance, which aligns with previous studies. Limitations included the lack of additional psychometric tests like convergent and divergent validity and the absence of gender-based analysis in the factor structure. Despite these, the study provided strong evidence for the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the questionnaire for assessing negative problem orientation in MS patients.
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mohsen fekri shiran; Gholamali Afrooz; Reza Pourhossein; Seifollah Aghajani; Ahmad Alipoor
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a family-centered psychological intervention program based on spiritual happiness for managing anxiety and reducing blood sugar levels in adults with diabetes. Nowadays, the number of individuals suffering from chronic disorders ...
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Objective: The present study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a family-centered psychological intervention program based on spiritual happiness for managing anxiety and reducing blood sugar levels in adults with diabetes. Nowadays, the number of individuals suffering from chronic disorders is on the rise, with the World Health Organization reporting that chronic disorders account for nearly 71% of annual deaths. Diabetes is a condition that affects the emotional-cognitive health spectrum of those affected. Over the past twenty years, the prevalence of diabetes has increased, reaching 285 million people in 2010, and this number is expected to rise to over 438 million by 2030. It is believed that individuals with diabetes have deficiencies in their physiological health status, leading to increased psychological stress and tension. Psychological stress is a condition that, if exacerbated, can lead to anxiety. Given the importance of relationships and the role of the affected individual and their family on each other in the course of physical and psychological disorders and the reduction of spiritual happiness, the focus has been on providing family-centered interventions for the affected individual. The family is the only natural, innate, unique and eternal human institution that plays the greatest role in the health and prosperity of human existence. Individuals and families with the disorder experience many difficulties in adapting to the diabetes treatment program. At the individual level, the goal of these treatments is to create positive psychological states. At the family level, the main goal is to increase the level of tolerance and knowledge of how to face and respond rationally and based on emotional relationships between spouses. Method: In this study, the family-oriented psychological intervention program based on spiritual happiness was developed based on previous research on family-oriented psychological interventions. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all individuals with type 2 diabetes who visited the Diabetes Home in Ardabil city in 2024, from which 40 individuals were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups of 20 for the experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. The experimental group received eight 75-minute sessions of group family-centered psychological interventions based on spiritual well-being, once a week. Data analysis was conducted using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Univariate Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with the statistical software SPSS22. Results: The findings indicated that the family-oriented psychological intervention program based on spiritual well-being had a significant impact on reducing anxiety (state-trait anxiety) (p<0.01) and blood sugar levels (p<0.01) in adults with diabetes. Conclusion: These results showed that family-oriented psychological therapy, if implemented based on spiritual vitality, can have a healing effect on reducing anxiety, stress, and physiological symptoms of people with diabetes. In this regard, counselors and therapists can use the findings of the present study in clinical and therapeutic interventions.
