DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY (JOURNAL OF IRANIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS)
Year:2007 | Volume:4 | Issue:13|Papers Count:10

A sample of 389 University students completed the Eating Attitude Test (Garner & Garfinkel, 1979) and Young's Schema Questionnaire (2001). The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that the symptoms of eating disorders among males were predicted by maladjusted beliefs about mistrust/abuse, dependence/failure, and entitlement. But the symptoms among females were predicted by maladjusted beliefs about entitlement, vulnerability to harm, and enmeshment/undeveloped self.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the how much the big five personality traits (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, & Openness to Experience) and self-esteem could predict eudaimnonic well-being (happiness). 240 University of Tetfran students (89 males and 151 females) completed the Eduaimonic Well-being Scale (Ryff, 1989), The Big Five Inventory (John & Srivastava, 1999), and the Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1979). Results showed that the eudemonicwell-being was significantly predicted by Conscientiousness in the both groups, and by Agreeableness and Extraversion only in males. Self-esteem significantly predicted eudaimonic well-being in both sexes, however, its role was more pronounced in females.

The present study compared the effectiveness of rational-emotive behavioral group therapy (REST) and psychodrama in altering emotional expression styles. 36 clients were assigned to the experiment (REST and Psychodrama) groups and control group. Group members were evaluated before and after 12 group counseling sessions using the Emotional Expressiveness Questionnaire (King & Emmons, 1990), Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Questionnaire (King & Emmons, 1990), and the Emotion Control Questionnaire (Roger & Najarian, 1989). The results showed that both methods of rational emotive behavioral group therapy and Psychodrama increased emotional expressiveness and decreased inhibition and emotional ambivalence in clients. However, psychodrama was more effective than REST in increasing emotional expressiveness.

This study examined the effects of Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) on the mental health of opiurn and heroin addicts. Participants included 60 Iranian heroin and opium addicts (equal sample size from each group) whose age ranged from 18 to 45 years. In the pretest stage, the participants' mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; Goldberg, 1972). Then, for six months, participants received MMT and their mental health was assessed once a month using GHQ. The results of repeated measures and t-test showed an improvement in the mental health of participants. This improvement began from the first month of treatment and continued over the six month period of treatment.

Interviews and drawings of 122 Iranian children, aged 6 to II, about religious beliefs and concepts (e.g., God) were examined. The results showed that, children painting God's image used light more than any other symbol.During free associations, children mentioned God's benevolence more than other attributes. Girls mostly depicted God in the form of symbols, while boys drew God more human-like. In describing God's deeds, 6 to 7 year olds mentioned the more positive and neutral aspects, 9 to 10 year olds noted God's omnipotence, and 10 to II year olds spoke mainly of the negative. Children from low socioeconomic status primarily prayed in times of need and on special occasions. Whereas, those with high socioeconomic status preferred praying in particular places and regularly. Implications in teaching religion and its related concepts are discussed.

The discriminant validity of the Farsi version of the Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL; Derogatis et al, 1974) was examined based on the difference in the scores of Iranian clinical and normal populations. The HSCL was completed by 429 normal persons, 131 autoimmune patients, and 111 non autoimmune patients. The significant positive correlations among the subscales (Somatization, anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity and obsessive compulsive) showed HSCL's internal validity. The subscales means of clinical groups were more than normal group and indicated its differtial validity. In general the HSCL is appropriate for studying psychopathological symptoms in normal and clinical Iranian populations.

The present study examined how positive psychological functioning moderates the effect of acculturation specific and general hassles on the psychological adaptation of 238 Iranian immigrants living in the USA, UK, and Netherlands. Instruments being used were: Hassles checklist (Lay and Nguyen, 1998), Pshchological wellbeing scale (Ryff, 1989) and Health Symptoms Scale (Safdar, et al., 2003). Positive psychological functioning was inversely related to psychophysical symptoms. Acculturation pecific and general hassles were positively associated with psychophysical symptoms, and acculturation specific hassles predicted psychophysical symptoms better than did general hassles. Positive psychological functioning moderated the effect of general, but not acculturation specific, hassles on psychophysical symptoms.