International Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences
Year:2021 | Volume:8 | Issue:2|Papers Count:7

Introduction: Driving behavior is a multifactor and high-risk behavior that was affected by several factors such as, individual, social and situational. Therefore, the present research aimed to study the mediating role of cognitive flexibility on the relationship between personality traits and driving behavior. Method: Method was descriptive-correlation SEM. The statistical population comprised of all the male drivers of intercity buses in Tehran terminals. 210 participants were selected by multi cluster sampling and completed the questionnaires of Manchester Driving Behavior (MDBQ), NEO Five-Factor (NEO-FFI) and Cognitive Flexibility (CFI). Data analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and the soft wares of Amos-21 and SPSS-19. Result: The results showed that the personality traits of neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness have a direct effect on high-risk driving behaviors. Also, personality traits of neuroticism, extroversion, and conscientiousness have an indirect effect on high-risk driving behaviors through cognitive flexibility (p<. 05). Conclusion: Cognitive flexibility mediates on the relationship of personality traits of neuroticism, extroversion and conscientiousness with high-risk driving behaviors. Therefore, according to the effect of human factors in high-risk driving behaviors was suggested to develop a psycho-educational package for promoting safe driving behaviors in drivers.

Introduction: The therapeutic consequences of extramarital relationships is a difficult issue among therapists, so majority of clinicians are faced with several challenges. Although, they are not able to conceptualize and modify these issues with a suitable and recognized approach, the purpose of this study was to identify common elements of psychological evidence-based therapies in order to develop multi-dimensional intervention for females involved in extramarital relationships. Method: This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was a qualitative content analysis to identify factors influencing the extramarital relations in three steps. The second phase aimed to design and develop multi-dimensional treatments using common elements identified in the first study. This procedure conducted according to Garland et al., method. Result: Sixty-four effective factors identified in four categories: individual’ s personality, family-educational, cultural-social and religious-beliefs. In the second phase, 13 effective therapeutic approaches in the treatment of extramarital relationships were selected. Finally, 10 common therapeutic elements were developed to design a protocol for extramarital relationships involved females. Conclusion: This treatment emphasized on helping women with the experience of extramarital relationship who want to save their marital commitment and family.

Interoduction: Anxiety among students can lead to decreased performance and may be associated with other psychological and biological consequences. Therefore, it deserves clinical attention. On the other hand, reinforcing positive resources such as feelings, behaviors, and positive cognitions can be used as an important intervention in managing and improving mood disorders. This study evaluated the efficacy of positive psychotherapy on improving executive function and modulating serum cortisol levels in patients with anxiety. Method: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 30 students with anxiety symptoms were selected using purposive sampling method and were assigned to experimental and control groups through block randomization method after confirming entry criteria. The intervention was presented to the experimental group in a positive approach for ten weekly sessions and the control group was placed on the waiting list. Changes in the executive functions index were considered as primary outcomes and serum cortisol levels fluctuations were considered as secondary outcomes. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS 21 software. Result: Primary outcomes showed that ten weeks of positive therapy had a significant effect on improvement of executive function (p<0. 001). Secondary outcomes also showed that positive psychotherapy was effective in decreasing serum cortisol levels (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Results showed that positive psychotherapy had a significant effect on the improvement of executive function and reducing serum cortisol levels. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of psychotherapy on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and its interaction with the hypothalamic– pituitary– adrenal (HPA) axis function. Declaration of Interest: None.

Introduction: Considering the importance of meaning of life and its role in mental health, the purpose of the current study is to examine the psychometric properties of LAP-R, an instrument that measures the meaning of life on the extensive components. Method: 500 students from different levels of education of Shahed University of Tehran were selected by proportional sampling method and after translating and retranslating of LAP-R, responded to LAP-R with the Spirituality Assessment Inventory (SAI), the Self-Esteem Rating Scale-Short Form (SERS-SF) and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). After performing the questionnaires, the results of validity and reliability of LAP-R were analyzed by statistical analysis. Result: As the results of current study showed, there was a high correlation between many subscales of LAP-R with SAI, SERF-SF and PANAS. Also, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the correlation between the test-retest of LAP-R was appropriate (P<0. 01). The correlation of the test-retest of this scale ranged from 0. 61 to 0. 81(P<0. 01). Also, Cronbach’ s alpha coefficients of the subscales and the overall score of this scale ranged from 0. 65 to 0. 86. Conclusion: Considering the appropriate correlation of LAP-R with other scales as well as the results of test-retest correlation and Cronbach`s alpha, it can be said that this questionnaire has appropriate validity and reliability.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (M. S) is the most common debilitating disease that also affects the physical, mental, and social functioning of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online compassion therapy on depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue severity in female patients with multiple sclerosis. Method: The present study was a pre-test, post-test applied and experimental study with a control group. The sample consisted of 30 patients with multiple sclerosis living in Shiraz in 2020 who were selected by convenience sampling method. They randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Participants were tested on the Depression, Anxiety, and Chronic Fatigue Scales, and an online compassion-based treatment plan was presented to the experimental group in 8 two-hour sessions. Descriptive statistics and covariance test were used to analyze the data. Result: Patients showed a significant improvement in the severity of symptoms in all three variables. The results showed a significant difference in depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue severity scores between the groups at posttest (P <0. 001). Conclusion: Online CFT can be used as an effective therapy to improve mental disorders and mental health of MS patients in case of evidence for proof of effectiveness of CFT. So, online compassion-focused group therapy can reduce the negative psychological consequences of people with multiple sclerosis by reducing negative emotions and increasing a person's attention to improving their condition.

Introduction: Bipolar Affective Disorder is cyclic swinging of mood between mania or hypomania and depression. The present study aimed to examine cognitive regulation in patients with bipolar disorder using the cyberspace-based family-centered intervention. Method: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest design and a follow-up period. The statistical population of the study included patients with bipolar disorder and a family member. 30 patients with a family member were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Garnefski Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) was the research tool. After administration of the questionnaires, the Miklowitz family-focused therapy was performed for the experimental group using cyberspace. At the end of the course, participants in both groups were evaluated using the research tools. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 software and mixed analysis of variance with the repeated measures. Result: The results of analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that the Miklowitz model led to a significant difference in the score of emotion regulation with an effect size of 45% in the experimental and control groups (P<0. 05). In other words, the cognitive emotion regulation and its subscales have been evident in the experimental group. Conclusion: As a result, it can be said that the use of the Miklowitz model through cyberspace affects cognitive emotion regulation and subscales of self-blame, acceptance, rumination, positive refocusing, refocusing on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, catastrophizing, and other-blame.

Introduction: The chronic and continuous aspect of anxiety can be seen as a source of failure, uncompromising, and widespread despair that deprives a person from a major part of his or her potential. This research aimed to study the effects of music on mind to reduce the symptoms of anxiety among women with uterine, ovary, and breast cancer. Method: The statistical population of this study consisted of all women living in Tehran. Using a semi-experimental pattern and using the available sampling method among female volunteers, 28 women were selected with a standard deviation above the average score of perceived stress based on input-output criteria and randomized in two experimental and control groups (each Group of 14 people) were replaced. Initially, both groups by means of pre-exam were tested, then the music therapy intervention group (based on the music protocol for the mind) received. At the end, both groups responded to the research tool (post-test). Measurement tools in this study was Perceived anxiety control questionnaire (ACQ); Anxiety Sensitivity Index and (ASI-3) perceived stress scale (PSS). Result: In this study, data analysis using the twenty-fourth version of the SPSS software and the use of one-way and multi-way analysis of variance showed that music intervention for the mind to reduce perceived stress and sensitivity to anxiety and Increased perceptions of anxiety control in people with cancer in the experimental group compared to the control group (P <0. 05). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that music intervention for the mind with the aim of reducing sensitivity to anxiety, as well as increasing the perception of anxiety control can have a positive effect on women with breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.