Journal of clinical psychology and counseling research
Year:2011 | Volume:1 | Issue:1|Papers Count:17

Resilience is an important subject in health psychology. Many studies have investigated factors that are related to the resilience. The objective of this research was to determine role of positive affect, negative affect and optimism, as predicting variables. Method: The participants were 201 students of Shiraz University (100 males, 101 females) who had a traumatic experience within the last 5 years. The participants were asked to complete the Traumatic Life Event Questionnaire (TLEQ), Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT – R), and the Adolescent Resilience Scale. The data was analyzed through a regression equation. Results showed that positive affect, negative affect and optimism were significantly correlated to resilience, and could explain some of variances of resilience. There was no relationship between students’ resilience scores and their gender and marital status. Conclusion: This research indicated that positive emotions and optimism are important to increase coping abilities when confronting to traumatic events. Therefore, in order to promote and improve the students’ mental health, any intervention for increasing positive emotions and optimism would be influential.

The main purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of Murita therapy on reducing the clients’ anxiety referring to the counseling centers. The used instrument was the state-trait questionnaire (shpil berger).The independence variable consists of 6 sessions of individual Murita therapy. The dependence variable was clients’ performance on the state-trait questionnaire. The research population was those clients (women or men between ages from 20 to 35 years old with a secondary or higher education certificate who were not addicted to any drugs) referred to two counseling centers in Tehran during 1388-1387.20 women or men, as research sample, were randomly selected and divided into two experimental and control groups.In an experimental design (with pretest and posttest with control group), the nonparametric Uman Witney test was being used to analyze the data. The results showed that Murita therapy was an effective cognitive technique for reducing the clients’ anxiety.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of realistic self-talk technique in increasing women's marital satisfaction. An experimental design has been used in which 20 women were randomly selected from those who referred to Imam Hussein mosque and assigned randomly in two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received the technique of realistic self-talk while control group were not received any technique. The Enrich questionnaire has been used to measure the marital satisfaction. The covariance analysis test were being employed to assess the significance relationships between the experimental and control groups’ scores. Research hypotheses for three components of marital satisfaction including “communication”, “conflict” and “sexual relationship” were being approved. This study proved the effectiveness of realistic self-talk technique in increasing marital satisfaction.

The present study is an attempt to investigate the relationship between perfectionism dimensions and trait anxiety. The relationship is examined through the administration of two questionnaires: A) Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) B) The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The sample were 175 undergraduate students of Shirvan Azad University (STAI). The participants were chosen by a multi– stage sampling method. The data analysis was done using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression in order to predict the dependent variable from the predictor variable. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between subscales of MPS (self–oriented, other – oriented and socially prescribed) and trait anxiety subscale of STAI. The results also revealed that socially prescribed perfectionism is a significant predictor of trait anxiety.

Couples are usually advised to improve their communication skills to increase harmony and avoid conflicts. However, there are limited studies investigating the strategies on decreasing marital conflicts in Crisis Intervention Centers. This study aimed to examine effectiveness of Spouse skills training (SST) on decreasing marital conflicts amongst divorcing couples.The research used a quasi-experimental model (with a control group design). Research population was 440 couples whom referred to Divorce Crisis Intervention Center (DCIC) in Isfahan City. The study sample consisted of 30 couples whom divided randomly in two control and experimental groups. The Marital Conflicts Questionnaire (Barati & Sanaei, 1375) was used to collect the research data. The control group had a 16 sessions of couple communication skills training program during eight weeks. The results including pre-test& post–test scores were examined with paired-groups t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The Marital Conflicts Questionnaire scores of the couples attending the training program proved to be lower than the scores of those who didn't attend (p<0.05). There were also significant differences between the experimental and control groups in three areas of couples' marital conflicts including emotional reactions, relations with his/her family and friends, and triangulating with children (p<0.05). This study indicated that the couple communication skills training program, in general, reduces divorcing couples' marital conflicts.

This study aimed to compare some of the most important metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies among students with normal and pathological worry. Sample consisted of 146 undergraduate students selected randomly by multiple clustering methods. All subjects were being asked to complete Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire, Penn State Worry Questionnaire and Thought Control Strategies. Two groups with normal and pathological worries were being discriminated by their PSWQ scores. Data were analyzed by t- test for independent groups and step wise multiple regression analysis. The results showed that two groups were significantly different in their positive metacognitive beliefs, beliefs about uncontrollability and danger and self- punishment. But there wasn’t significant difference between two groups in their social control strategies. The results supported the perspective that metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies have an important effect on maintenance of worry.

Present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive group therapy based on schema on modification early maladaptive schema among Orphan and dysfunctional parenting adolescents girls. The study was an applied research with a quasi-experimental type (with non-equivalent control group design). Participants were being selected by using convenient sampling method, who were then randomly divided into two groups of control and experimental participants. Each group has 10 participants. The Young schema Questionnaire-short form (YSQ) were being performed as pre-test among both contol and experimental groups. The experimental group received 11 sessions of cognitive group therapy based on schema. In order to measure the dependent variables (the score of early maladaptive schema and total score of YSQ), Young schema Questionnaire-short form were administrated as post-test in both groups. The results of statistical analysis of MONCOVA Showed that cognitive group therapy based on schema reduces significantly the total score in YSQ and other maladaptive schemas score except failure and Abandonment. These results supported the main hypothesis that cognitive group therapy based on schema would modify significantly early maladaptive schema.

study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of 12-items Core Self Evaluations Scale (CSES) developed by Judge, Erez, Bono, and Thoresen (2003). Two hundred nineteen employees from Shahid Chamran and Jundi Shapoure medical Sciences Universities who were randomly selected were being surveyed. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.71 and item-total correlations ranged from.25 to.61, indicating high internal consistency. The validity of the scale was confirmed through multiple ways. First, in consistent with our expectation, exploratory factor analysis using principal components and varimax rotation showed that four core traits including self esteem, generalized self efficacy, locus of control, and neuroticism loaded significantly on a single factor: Core Self-Evaluations. Second, confirmatory factor analysis indicated that except for one item, all items of CSES loaded significantly on a single factor. Third, CSES was positively correlated with selfesteem, generalized self-efficacy, and locus of control, and negatively correlated with neuroticism that indicates convergent validity of the CSES. Fourth, CSES was significantly correlated with job satisfaction as an important variable that indicates empirical validity of the CSES. Fifth, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that CSES predict job satisfaction score beyond the core self- evaluations score and the four core traits. In sum, the results showed that the CSES is a valid and reliable scale for measuring Iranian core self evaluations.

The aim of the present research was to determine the role of temperament and character variables on prediction of symptoms of obsessive disorder among adolescents. The research sample consisted of 60 students with obsessive disorder who were being randomly selected from Ardabil high school students showing obsessive disorder symptoms. Temperament and Character Inventory and obsessive disorder Inventory were being used to collect the research data. The results showed that character (r=-0.62) temperament and (r=-0.63) are significantly correlated to high school students’ obsessive disorder symptoms. The results of multiple regression showed that the temperament and character percent 49 had significant contribute in prediction of symptoms obsessive in adolescents. Also, dimensions of self– transcendence, self– transcendence and harm avoidance were found to be the best predictors for symptoms obsessive in adolescents. These findings have important implications in psychopathology of obsessive disorder. Therefore, clinicians should take them into account in their clinical work.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the relationship between motivational structure and marital satisfaction. Participants (N=122; 72% female) were recruited among married students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, who completed Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) and Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to summarize the PCI data. A summary score was then developed based on the factor loadings to represent adaptive motivation. To test the study hypothesis, hierarchical regression analysis was used to regress adaptive motivation onto marital satisfaction and its components (i.e., attractiveness, rapport, attitude, investment). The results indicated that, after controlling for the participants' age, gender, length of marriage, number of children, and spouses' age and job, increases in adaptive motivational structure were associated with increases in marital satisfaction’s total score and its subscales. Adaptive motivation could predict 6.8% of variance in marital satisfaction total score, 6.7% of variance in attractiveness, 3.1% of variance in rapport, 3.5% of variance in attitude and 6.8% of variance in investment. To conclude, it seems that people's general level of success in achieving their goals in various areas of their lives, which is related to their adaptive motivational structure, is positively related to their marital satisfaction. Implication of the findings for motivational interventions to increase marital satisfaction has been discussed.

Purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness emotional intelligence training on reducing hostility of aggressive adolescences. Research method was experimental (pre test-post test method) with a control group.100 students were randomly selected from Mashhad schools by a clustered random sampling method. The students answered to Nelson anger questionnaire (2000).20 students who get the Nelson anger questionnaire top scores, screened as aggressive students and divided randomly into two experimental and control groups. Both groups have completed the "Schutte emotional intelligence questionnaire" and also "Nelson's anger inventory" as pretest step. Then, experimental group participated in 10 sessions of emotional intelligence training. Training session based on Mayer and Salovey (1997) four section model included: emotional intelligence theoretical bases; emotional identify; expression, using and management of emotion. Results of Pierson correlation coefficient showed that there was a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and aggression in aggressive adolescences (r=-0.562).There was a meaningful difference between two control and experimental groups in their performance on the emotional intelligence parameters including regulating, acknowledge, expression and applying emotions (p<0.05). Moreover the training of emotional intelligence reduced adolescents’ aggression and its elements including physical aggression, frustration and communication with peers (p<0.05). In conclusion, it would be claimed that the emotional intelligence not only has significant negative correlation with aggression, but also, the training of EQ can significantly increase emotional regulation, acknowledge, expression and management abilities. Emotional intelligence training may be used as a new tool in adolescent education and treatment.

Instruction: Based on the plasticity brain approach, exercise and physical activity have implications and reasons for enhance intelligence and neuron functions. One of the important subjects in this frame is search about what are the effects of physical activity, specially, rhythmic movement in cognition, affective, behavior functions. The aim of this investigation is to research effectiveness of rhythmic movements on practical intelligence in preschool children. Method: The test that use in this research is Goodenough intelligence test. Method: For doing this, we selected 93 children of preschool in Ferdowsi university of Mashhad. Sampling method was available sampling and divided them in to 2 groups: experimental group & control group, randomly. We tested subjects with Goodenough intelligence test at before and after rhythmic movement therapy in experimental group. Experimental group for 4 month, and in each week 2 seasons, and in each season 1.5 hours received related instructions. In this instruction each child in experimental has one coach. The control group has other instructions. After the end of instruction period, participates in both group have been measured for determine the level of practical intelligence. To comparing difference of groups in post-test and pre-tests, we administrated ANCOVA analysis in 2 groups. Results: Result show that difference of scores in 2 groups is significance for practical intelligence and adjustment behaviors. Then we can tell that rhythmic move therapy was effect on practical intelligence.