INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Year:2009 | Volume:3 | Issue:3|Papers Count:16

Introduction: The purpose of this research was to compare the working memory performance in dyslexic and non-dyslexic students and investigate the effect of rehearsal on working memory performance in dyslexic children. Method: This is a quasi-experimental study. Statistical sample of research consisted of 15 dyslexic students who were selected by achievable method as test group and 15 normal students who were selected randomly as control group. Data was collected by working memory test battery for children (WMTB-C) designed by Pickering & Gathercole. Rehearsal performed on dyslexic group. Results: Performance of working memory in dyslexic students was weaker than normal students. Conclusion: Rehearsal does not have a significant effect on working memory performance of dyslexics.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to study the mediating role of gender in relationship between attribution style (positive and negative) and academic achievement in high school students. Method: 233 junior high school students (118 girls and 115 boys) in Tehran selected randomly through multiphase cluster sampling. Subjects completed Peterson attribution style questionnaire. The average of mathematics, physics and chemistry scores in fall semester were used as an index of academic achievement. Data analyzed with two-way ANOVA. Results: There was a significant relation (p<0.01) between attribution style and academic achievement. There was a significant difference between girls and boys regarding to positive attribution. There was no significant relation between gender and negative attribution. Conclusion: In comparison with gender, attribution style is a good predictor of academic achievement. The results are important for explaining school drop-out.

Introduction: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of coping-therapy on decreasing the stress of female coronary artery patients. Method: The sample society was all patients referred to Farmanyeh heart clinic of Tehran during 2008-09. 100 females between 35 and 55 years old filled McCabin family stress and changes questionnaire. 40 females with the highest scores were chosen as samples. Participants divided to two test and control groups, randomly. Experimental group received 10 sessions of coping-therapy in individual form. Data analyzed by mixed ANOVA. Results: Total scores of stress and Interfamily conflicts and problems as a source of stress decreased in experimental group, significantly. ANCOVA showed same results. Conclusion: Coping-therapy may reduce stress among coronary diseases female patients and can predict decrease of the diseases by stress in long term periods, according to theoretical model.

Introduction: This study was to evaluate the vicarious or secondary post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Sardasht chemical warfare victims' wives. Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 306 persons were analyzed in two case (150 wives of Sardasht chemical warfare victims) and control (156 wives of Sardasht normal families) groups. A 39-query Mississippi questionnaire was filled for each person in order to evaluate the severity of PTSD. Results: The total Mississippi degree was 128.68±12.67 in chemical warfare victims' wives and 111.27±21.21 in control group. The prevalence and severity of PTSD in chemical warfare victims' wives were sensibly more than the control group. The total Mississippi score in chemical victims (case group's husbands) was higher than normal people (control group's husbands). Conclusion: According to high prevalence and severity of this disorder in chemical warfare victims' wives, it is necessary to follow up and treat the involved cases.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of Ware mental and physical health (short form 36-itemed; version 2). Method: Research sample includes 320 undergraduate students of Tarbiat Moallem University of Tehran (188 females; 132 males) which were selected by multi-stage sampling method. Samples completed Ware SF-36 (V2) and Pooladi Reyshahri students’ stressors questionnaire (SSQ). Exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and internal consistency were used to compute the SF-36 (V2)’s factor structure (construct validity), discriminant validity and reliability, respectively. Results: Alpha Cronbach coefficients indicated that both factors and the sub-factors of SF-36 (V2) were highly reliable. Also, the results of the exploratory factor analysis indicated two factors (mental and physical) in this questionnaire. The correlation coefficient of SF-36 (V2) and SSQ were -0.68 (p<0.001). Conclusion: SF-36 (V2) is a valid and reliable questionnaire for studying mental and physical health.

Introduction: The present study evaluated the ability of possible components of Draw-A-Person (DAP) test in distinguishing oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Method: 60 students (30 males; 30 females) from 16 randomly selected schools in Tehran who had received scores above the cut off point on ODD subtest of child behavioral check list (CBCL) and teacher report form (TRF) were selected as the subjects of the study. They ranged from 7 to 10 years old. 60 other students from the same schools, compatible in age and sex, who scored below the cut off point on CBCL and TRF served as the control group. Both groups were administered DAP test. Data was analyzed by chi-square to compare groups across components of DAP. Results: ODD group rated significantly higher than the control group in 18 components of DAP (p<0.05); the control group rated significantly higher than the ODD group in 13 components of DAP (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the male and female subjects. Conclusion: Human figure drawings of individuals diagnosed with ODD, irrespective of their gender, are significantly different than those of the non-ODDs.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire (WEL). Method: This experiment is a cross-sectional study. The subjects consisted of 118 individuals with BMI higher than 25 Kg/m2 who were selected using available sampling and then were evaluated using WEL. Reliability was evaluated by test-retest method and validity was assessed using different methods such as factor analysis, principal component analysis, items correlation with the total score and with Shrer general self efficacy questionnaire and external validity. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, T test, Pearson correlation coefficient and factor analysis. Results: Test-retest reliability coefficient of WEL was 0.91. Using factor analysis revealed and confirmed five subscales of original WEL including "negative emotions", "availability", "social pressures", "physical discomfort" and "positive amusing activities". Furthermore, the correlation of five factors with the total scores, the significant correlation of WEL with total scores of Shrer general self efficacy questionnaire (r=0.62; p<0.001) and the increase in total scores after nutrition education, all indicated the questionnaire’s efficiency. Conclusion: WEL has a highly significant validity and reliability and is suitable to be used in educational, clinical and research domains.

Introduction: The current research was to determine the effects of education based on framework of precede-proceed model on the knowledge, attitude and behavior of epilepsy patients. Method: In this quasi-experimental study, 64 patients with grand-mal epilepsy based on inclusion criteria were randomly divided into case & control groups. Education interference was performed based on precede-proceed model as framework of the planning for patients' education in case group. Data accumulation instrument was a questionnaire constructed by researcher that contained demographics and hygienic qualification of patients and precede-proceed model parts. Data was accumulated by questionnaire filling during organized interviews with selected samples two times before and two months after educational interference. Results: The mean scores of the predisposing factors including knowledge, attitude, behaviors and also reinforcing factors increased significantly in case group compared to control group following the intervention (p<0.05); but there was no significant difference between case and control groups in mean scores of enabling factors, following the intervention (p>0.05). In addition, mean overall scores of precede-proceed model constructs in patients of case group and target behavior means "precise observance therapeutic regime" than before of intervention was significantly increased (p<0.05). The mean scores of the knowledge, attitude and enabling factors was significant in control group following the intervention. Conclusion: Education based on framework of the precede-proceed model is effective to increase the knowledge, attitude , enabling and reinforcing factors and positive coping behaviors in patients with epilepsy.

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the attachment styles in conduct disorder, dyslexic and normal students. Method: This is a casual comparative research. The statistical community consists of the whole students from third to fifth grades of primary school of Tehran. First, 55 dyslexic and 43 conduct disorder students were chosen randomly according to multiple stage cluster sampling method after participating in identical tests (reading disorder test and Ruter conduct disorder test). Then 60 normal students were chosen purposefully to be compared with dyslexic and conduct disorder students. After sampling, The Randolph attachment disorder questionnaire was performed. Data was analyzed through one-way ANOVA and schefe method. Results: Data analysis through one-way Anova and schefe method indicate that attachment styles among normal, dyslexic and conduct disorder students have significant difference (p>0.0001). The results show that dyslexic and conduct disorder students have insecure attachment in compare with normal students. Conclusion: Normal students have secure attachment, but dyslexic student have avoidant insecure attachment and conduct disorder students have ambivalent insecure attachment.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze the most important personality factors effective in couples marital satisfaction. Method: 600 people (300 couples) from habitants of 3 university dormitories were chosen by random (multi-stage) sampling method and filled "NEO-FFI" and "ENRICH" marital satisfaction questionnaires. Data was analyzed by multiple regression, Pearson correlation coefficient and independent T test. Results: The factors of "females' conscientiousness", "males' conscientiousness", "males' neuroticism" and "males' agreeableness" can predict %29.2 variances of males marital satisfaction (p<0.03); and factors of "females' conscientiousness", "females' neuroticism" and "males' neuroticism" can predict %27 variances of females marital satisfaction (p<0.002). Conclusion: The findings emphasis the role of "conscientiousness" and "neuroticism" factors in prediction of variances of marital satisfaction.

Introduction: Relationship of physical and psychological symptoms with stress in military organization and environment need to study. The goal of this article was to consider and rank psychological and physical symptoms of life stressors in military personnel. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. Sample society was a group of military personnel in one of the military centers. The instruments of this study were Holmes & Rahe life event scale and a researcher-made questionnaire, which have been filled by 766 militants. Results: Differences between groups were significant according to life event score. Militants with life event scores more than 250 showed higher score in somatic sign and militants with life event scores less than 200 showed higher score in somatic symptom scale than the personnel with less than 100 in life event score. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between stress of life event and psychological and physical signs of stress in militants. More the life event score, more the psychological and physical signs of stress.

Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between suicidal ideations and personality traits in substance abusers. Method: 80 substance abusers were selected by random cluster sampling and were assessed with revised version of Neo-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-R) suicidal ideations questionnaire. Data analysis ran by product-moment Pearson correlation matrix and linear regression. Results: There was a positive meaningful relationship between neuroticism with guilt feeling and self-destruction and a negative meaningful relationship between conscientiousness with guilt feeling, self-destruction, isolation and depression. Extraversion had a negative relationship with isolation, inertia, hopelessness and inferiority openness had a negative relationship with hopelessness and inferiority, too. Furthermore, there was a negative significance relationship between extraversion and conscientiousness with total score of suicidal ideations. Conclusion: According to risk of suicide ideation and high rate of the suicide attempt in addicts, especially after relapse identification of risk factors and pre-determinants index to investigating suicide ideation in addicts cause to reduce the risk of suicide attempt in them.