Journal of Behavior in Clinical Psychology
Year:2013 | Volume:7 | Issue:26|Papers Count:9

Cognitive processes, such as attention span and reaction time play a key role in a variety of practical realms. An effective method which can be applied to increase the concentration, attention and also the alteration of reaction time is neurofeedback training. The research purpose is to assess the effectiveness of neurofeedback training in the attention and reaction time of novice tennis players. Therefore, a sample of 36 volunteers was randomly selected and assigned to experimental group (real neurofeedback) and placebo group (simulated neurofeedback), through employing a semi-experimental method with pre-test, post-test and control group design.Both groups were assessed in terms of attention span and reaction time prior and subsequent to the training. The result of difference variance analysis indicated that neurofeedback training is effective in decreasing the reaction time.However, no support was found in terms of attention span. Overall, it can be concluded that neurofeedback training is effective in the enhancement of cognitive performance, particularly, the decrease of reaction time.

Bipolar disorder is characterized as a chronic disorder which maintains elevated relapse rate. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, which is generally based on meditative techniques integrated with some aspects of cognitive therapy, has been recommended for the treatment of this disorder. Hence, the research purpose was to carry out an investigation into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the decrease of depression and maniac symptoms of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. A semi-experimental method with post-test-pre-test design was employed and a sample of 19 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder was assigned to the experimental (n=9) and control (n=10) groups. The subjects underwent 8 sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and were tested in terms of maniac and depression symptoms. Covariance analysis indicated that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy could significantly reduce the depression symptoms in the experimental group as compared to the control group. However, no improvement was observed in maniac symptoms. Overall, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be a preferred therapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder in general and depression symptoms, in particular.

Cognitive processes, such as attention span and reaction time play a key role in a variety of practical realms. An effective method which can be applied to increase the concentration, attention and also the alteration of reaction time is neurofeedback training. The research purpose is to assess the effectiveness of neurofeedback training in the attention and reaction time of novice tennis players. Therefore, a sample of 36 volunteers was randomly selected and assigned to experimental group (real neurofeedback) and placebo group (simulated neurofeedback), through employing a semi-experimental method with pre-test, post-test and control group design. Both groups were assessed in terms of attention span and reaction time prior and subsequent to the training. The result of difference variance analysis indicated that neurofeedback training is effective in decreasing the reaction time.However, no support was found in terms of attention span. Overall, it can be concluded that neurofeedback training is effective in the enhancement of cognitive performance, particularly, the decrease of reaction time.

Various approaches have been put forward for the treatment and decrease of depression symptoms, one of which is intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP).Therefore, the research purpose is to assess the effectiveness of short-term dynamic psychotherapy in decreasing the symptoms of depression and emotional disclosure in patients suffering from depression. The research employed a semi-experimental method with pre-test-post-test-control group design. The sample comprised 16 individuals diagnosed with depression who were selected using voluntary sampling and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Prior to the intervention, the subjects were tested in terms of depression and emotional disclosure. The experimental group received 20 sessions of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy, whereas, the control group received no intervention. ANCOVA analysis indicated that intensive shortterm dynamic psychotherapy has significantly decreased the symptoms of depression and increased the emotional disclosure. Overall, it can be concluded that short-term dynamic psychotherapy can elevate the lowered mood (decrease of depression symptoms) and increase the emotional disclosure.

Human communication is a process in which the individuals transmit verbal and non-verbal concepts to the others’ mind. These communications can be easily influenced by shyness. Shyness poses various problems for shy individuals and prevents them in pursuing their goals. Therefore, one of the most major problems of shy people is communication. The research aims to investigate the influence of non-verbal communication in decreasing the students’ symptoms of shyness.Hence, a sample of 30 individuals was drawn from among the diagnosed shy students of Shahid Bahonar University and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of nonverbal interaction skills training and was subsequently tested for shyness. Results of covariance analysis indicated that nonverbal social interaction skills training can significantly decrease the symptoms of shyness in cognitive, physiological and behavioral aspects. Overall, it seems that nonverbal social interaction skills training merits attention in life style training.

Depression stands amongst the most prevalent disorders and its accurate and early diagnosis and assessment is of crucial importance for the clinical specialist.Therefore, the research purpose is to assess the psychometric properties of Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI) amongst the obsessive compulsive students. Hence, a sample of 82 obsessive-compulsive patients were selected through convenience sampling and tested by Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI), The Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive scale, Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire. Results have confirmed the reliability and validity of Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). Moreover, the factor structure employing the main components’ analysis with promax rotation confirmed the factor structure of Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI).Overall, the Persian version of Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI) proved to possess adequate psychometric properties.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder emerges during childhood and presents parents with various problems. The research purpose is to assess the effectiveness of children’s management skills training in the decrease of their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, the research employed a semi-experimental method with pre-test-post-test design and a sample of 24 mothers whose children had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was selected through convenience sampling and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 9 sessions of children’s management skills training and was assessed with clinical interview and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scale regarding their children. Multivariate variance analysis indicated that children’s management skill training is effective in decreasing the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. However, no significant effectiveness was observed in terms of attention deficit. Overall, this training can be employed as a preventive program to enable mothers to deal effectively with their children who are diagnosed with such disorder.

Formation of identity entails the integration of skills, world view and identification which emerges as a relatively cohesive, unique and differentiated whole. An integrated explanatory self which identifies the individual’s thought and behavior and can be regarded as the underlying arena for psychological distress. The research purpose was to investigate the relationship between identity styles and psychological distress. Therefore, in a descriptive-correlative study, 3245 college students (1703 male students and 1534 female students) were tested with regard to the identity styles and psychological distress. The correlation results of the scores indicated that information-oriented style, normative style and identity commitment are significantly negatively correlated to psychological distress; however, diffuse avoidant style was significantly, positively correlated to psychological distress. It seems that, individuals who adopt diffuse-avoidant style delay decision-making on their identity and gradually these maladaptive and avoidant strategies give rise to distress.