DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (JOURNAL OF IRANIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS)
Year:2007 | Volume:3 | Issue:11|Papers Count:9

This study investigated the validity, reliability and factor structure of Adolescent Coping strategies (Frydenberg & Lewis, 1993 a) in Iranian adolescents. 799 high school students (365 males, 434 female) was selected through multi-stage sampling method and administered the ACS and Persian version of Defense Mechanism Questionnaire (Andrews, Singh, & Bond, 1993). The results based on item analysis (item-total correlation & difficulty degree) showed 12 items (correlated lowly with the total) constituted a sub-scale (apathetic withdrawal) whit alpha coefficient 0.63. Cronbach's alpha and test retest coefficient for the scale were 0.88 & 0.71 respectively. The result of principle component analysis (PC) and Promax rotation suggested the structure of the scale in Iranian population (deleting 5 items without the factor loads) contains 9 factors (help seeking, affiliation, worry, try & anticipation, focus of the positive, denial, passive aggression, seek spiritual support, physical recreation). Goodness-of-fit indices of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 9 extracted factors. In addition, the results of second-order factor analysis showed the model of two first order factors as adjusted (with 5 factors) and maladjusted (with 4 factors) strategies fitted more than the one-factor model. The positive correlation coefficients between the factors of ACS and Defense Mechanism Questionnaire confirmed the convergent validity of the scale.

This article presents two mathematical models for studying brain functions in memory reconstruction, forgetfulness, and some types of brain malfunctioning such as Alzheimer disease and Schizophrenia. Based on these models, a mechanism is suggested that can explain dreams. Using these two models, the interaction between emotions and cognition, as suggested by Piaget (1972), as well as, issues like consciousness and unconsciousness are described.

We examined the relationship between attachment styles (secure, avoidant, and ambivalent) and three strategies of coping with stress (problem-focused, positive emotion-focused, and negative emotion-focused). The Adult Attachment Inventory (Besharat, 2005; Hazan & Shaver, 1987) and the Tehran Coping Styles Scale (Besharat 2005; Carver, Shearer, & Winthrop, 1989) were completed by 120 female and 103 male Iranian students. The results revealed a statistically reliable relationship between attachment styles and coping strategies. Secure attachment style was positively correlated with problem focused and positive emotion-focused coping styles, and negatively associated with negative emotion-focused coping style. Avoidant attachment style was positively correlated with problem-focused and negative emotion-focused coping styles. Ambivalent attachment style was positively correlated with positive emotion-focused coping style. We concluded that coping strategies are influenced by attachment styles.

This research examined the relationship between the indicators of socioeconomic status (income, education, and occupation) and mental and physical health. 150 participants from Zanjan, Iran who worked as university presidents, professors, teachers, administrators, farmers and a few other employees were administered the Mental Health Inventory (Veit & Ware, 1983), the Physical Health Checklist (Boardman, 2004), and a demo- graphic information questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multivariate analyses and chi square tests. Results showed a significant interaction effect of occupation and income on the psychological distress subscale of mental health. The relations between the level of education and two subscales of mental health (psychological well-being and distress) were significant, but between the level of education and physical health were not significant. Women as compared to men, showed lower levels of psycho- logical well-being and higher levels of psychological distress. But no gender differences were found in physical health. By confirming the relationship between mental health and socioeconomic status, the present research can be helpful in devising preventive policies and programs for promoting public health.

In order to study the role of coping styles on academic stress and academic achievement 253 female and 144 male Iranian university students were asked to complete the Student Life Stress Inventory (SLSI; Gadzella, 1991) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS, Endler & Parker, 1990). Data showed negative correlations between academic achievement and academic stress, and between emotion-oriented and avoidant coping styles. The correlation between academic achievement and task-oriented coping style was positive. Academic stress showed a negative relationship with task-oriented coping style and positive relationships with emotion- oriented and avoidant coping styles. Stepwise regression analysis showed that academic stress, task-oriented coping style, emotion-oriented coping style, and avoidant coping style respectively accounted for 9%, 3%, 2% and 1% the variance in academic achievement. More precisely, the relationship between academic stress and academic achievement is influenced only by task-oriented and emotion-oriented coping styles. Strategies of promoting effective coping styles among university students are discussed.

The reliability and validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) was examined in this study. 109 Iranian university students completed the SWLS. The reliability of the SWLS was tested through measuring the Cronbach's alpha (.83) and applying the method of test-retest (.69). The construct validity of the SWLS was evaluated through convergent validity with the application of both Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI; Argyle, 2001) and the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck et al., 1991). SWLS showed a positive correlation with OHI and a negative one with BDI. The research suggests that SWLS is a useful scale in Iranian psychological research.