Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology
Year:2020 | Volume:27 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Objectives This study aims to investigate the effect of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) on depression, anxiety, and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation (DER) in women with Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test/post-test/follow-up design using a control group. Study population consists of all men referred to the obesity clinics in Tehran in 2019. Of these, 40 were selected using a purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (n=20) and control (n=20). The intervention group received 10 sessions of EFT, each session for 90 minutes. Data collection tools were the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Binge Eating Scale (BES), which were completed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measure ANIVA in SPSS v. 21 software. Results Group EFT significantly reduced the mean anxiety, depression, DER and severity of binge eating after intervention and over the 2-month follow-up period in BED men (P<0. 05). Conclusion The EFT can reduce anxiety, depression, DER and binge eating severity in BED women, and its effect remains constant after two months. It can be useful in the treatment of BED.

Objectives The present study aims to examine the mediating role of external shame and self-compassion in the relationship between peer victimization and depression in adolescents. Methods This is a descriptive-correlational study. Participants were 300 middle-school students of Shahin Shahr city in Isfahan, Iran (150 girls and 150 boys), who were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The data collection tools were Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale, the Other As Shamer Scale, Self-Compassionate Scale-Short Form, and Mood & Feeling Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v. 19 and AMOS v. 20 applications. Results There were significant relationship among peer victimization, external shame, self-compassion, and depression (P<0. 01). The measurement model had a good fitness (Root mean square error of approximation=0. 037, normed fit index=0. 997, comparative fit index=0. 999). Path Analysis results reported that peer victimization had indirect effect on depression through mediation by external shame and self-compassion. Conclusion External shame and self-compassion can mediate the relationship between peer victimization and depression in adolescents. Considering them in designing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions can be helpful for adolescents to cope with peer victimization and depression.

Objectives This study aims to compare childhood trauma, integrative self-knowledge and mindfulness in patients with cancer and healthy people. Methods This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 139 patients with cancer and 139 healthy people referred to Firoozgar Hospital and SAMAR Charity House who were selected by a convenience sampling method. They were asked to complete Integrative Self-Knowledge (ISK) Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistic methods including MANOVA. Results There was a significant difference between patients and controls in terms of ISK (P<0. 001), mindfulness (P<0. 001) and childhood trauma (P<0. 001). Conclusion Cancer patients have lower ISK and mindfulness but higher childhood trauma compared to healthy people. Attention should be paid to the role of these factors in prevention and treatment processes.

Objectives This study aims to assess the implementation of drug-related harm reduction programs in Iranian prisons and suggest solutions for their improvement. Methods This study was conducted in three steps. First, library method was used for collecting data from the central library of Iran’, s Prisons, Security and Corrective Measures Organization. In the second step, performance indicators were extracted based on the results of first step and two researcher-made checklists were designed. Finally, a field visit and a semi-structured interview with the authorities involved in the treatment and harm reduction services were carried out. Results In most of prisons, drug-related harm reduction programs were underway. Despite a lack of human resources and budget at the beginning, the quality of measures was gradually increased and the attitude of authorities was improved. Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Triangular Clinics were the most common harm reduction programs, in addition to HIV and tuberculosis screening programs in collaboration with medical sciences universities. The program continued despite the change of officials. Conclusion Harm reduction programs are able to reduce infection diseases, self-harm and violent behaviors in prisons of Iran. Cultural programs along with other harm reduction programs, briefings and seeking support from the authorities can greatly help with continuation of the programs in prisons. By eliminating the shortage of manpower and redefining the security areas for ordinary prisoners, it will be possible to make better use of the facilities of universities and research centers.

Objectives The phenomenon of rough sleeping in big cities of Iran, particularly in Tehran is a serious social problem. The term rough sleeping is mostly used for those who sleep on the public spaces including pavements, parks or under bridges. It is assumed that rough sleeping and drug addiction are linked to each other. This study aims to evaluate the process of rough sleeping based on the experiences of home‐,less drug addicted in Iran. Methods This is a qualitative research. Participants were 20 homeless addicts (9 males and 11 females, mean age= 36. 2 years) in Tehran city who were recruited using a purposive sampling method, and sam‐,pling continued until data saturation. The data were collected through a semi-structured in-depth inter‐,view and observations. Data analysis was performed based on the grounded theory recommended by Strauss and Corbin (1998). Results The rough sleeping process had two steps: (a) Leaving home voluntarily (to protect family or escape from family problems) or involuntarily (Due to being expelled from home and losing the roof over the head), and (b) Being homelessness which had four main categories: Elusive life, informal and contravened subsistence, involving in exploitative relationships, and loss of individual/social identity. Conclusion When leaving home and becoming rough sleeper, the individual becomes elusive, delinquent, damaged and socially rejected homeless, in addition to the risk of becoming a drug addict. Therefore, this group can be considered as a severely injured group involved in various social, legal and psychologi‐,cal issues. Given the complexity of the homelessness aspects in drug addicts, there is a need for coordi‐,nated interventions between individuals, families and the support systems at all levels.

Objectives This study aims to investigate niacin sensitivity in schizophrenia patients compared to healthy people and examine the accuracy of niacin skin flush test in diagnosing schizophrenia. Methods This diagnostic study was conducted in 2018 in Zanjan, Iran. Three niacin concentrations (0. 001 M, 0. 01 M, and 0. 1 M) was first applied topically to the skin of 36 schizophrenia patients and 33 healthy controls. Flush responses were evaluated at 10 and 15 min after application. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of the test were measured for each niacin concentration and evaluation time. Results At 10 min, the highest test accuracy was reported when 0. 001 M niacin solution was used (Sensitivity=94%, specificity=50%, PPV= 51%, and NPV= 94%). At 15 min, the highest test accuracy was observed at 0. 01 concentration (Sensitivity=52%, specificity=92%, PPV=79%, and NPV=77%). Conclusion Flush responses to niacin is more impaired in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, niacin can be considered as a biological marker of schizophrenia and can be used for its diagnosis.

Objectives This study examines depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and perceived social support among type D and non-type D individuals. Methods A total of 300 individuals aged 18 to 40 years were recruited in the investigation. We used the distress personality scale (DS 14), Pakistan anxiety and despondency scale, psychosomatic symptoms, and perceived social support scales to obtain the study data. The study participants were divided into Type D (n=166) and non-Type D individuals (n=134) based on their DS 14 cut-off scores. In this descriptive study, a random cluster sampling technique was utilized to choose the samples. The study was conducted from September to December 2017. Data analysis was performed utilizing independent samples t-test and regression analysis. Results The recurrence of the Type D personality was 55%. Results indicated a considerable difference between Type D and non-Type D personality on depression, anxiety, and psychosomatic side effects (P < 0. 001 for all side effects). The findings also suggest that Type D individuals perceived less social support from family, friends, and significant others. Conclusion People with type D character qualities show more depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and less perceived social support when compared with non-Type D people.

Objectives Mental health program in Iran has been approved since 1988 and has been integrated into the primary care system especially in rural areas, and has been developed greatly over the past few decades. Due to demographic changes in the country’, s population and the rapid expansion of cities, there is a need for a coherent plan to provide mental health services in urban areas. This study aims to provide a practical model for mental health services in patients with severe psychiatric disorders in urban areas. Methods This study was conducted based on reviewing literature, using the experiences of other countries, the model of the World Health Organization, the services available in Iran, description of the responsibilities of beneficiary organizations, collaboration between the Ministry of Health and various organizations responsible for providing mental health, and using the opinios of national and international experts. In this model, urban mental health services are estimated for a population of 100, 000 people. Results The developed model proposed to provide immediate psychiatric services with more coherence, increase the training and skills of the staff of 110, 115, 1480, and 123 hotlines, and determine a space for hospitalization of 3-5 emergency patients next to the public hospital. Depending on the number of patients per 100, 000 population, there would be a need for community-based health service providers, including 2-3 rehabilitation teams for home visits (each cover 80 patients), and 3 daycare centers to provide services to 40 patients. In case of providing community-based services, there would be a need for 12 beds for acute psychiatric patients and 5 beds for mid and long term rehabilitation. Moreover, vocational rehabilitation services should provide to 50 patients, and two apartments with an area of about 80 m would be needed to accommodate about 8 patients. The provision of above mentioned services would require equal participation of beneficiary organizations. The family physician would play an essential role in follow-up of patients under the constant supervision of specialists. Conclusion To achieve the desired model of urban mental health services so that it can provide comprehensive services to patients at different levels from prevention and care to treatment and rehabilitation, there is a need for collaboration between organizations providing these services. In this model, the use of existing services imposes lower financial burden on the country’, s mental health management system.

Objectives Suicidal behavior in children under 10 years of age is a warning and a matter of concern. It can be an important indicator for evaluating the mental health of individuals in the community. Case Report This study reported an 8-year-old boy who had three failed suicide attempts by hanging. The psychiatric assessment revealed that he had major depressive disorder which had not been diagnosed. Conclusion Evaluation of his behavior by using the Child Behavior Checklist completed by his parents showed that he had the highest scores in aggressive behavior, attention problems, rule-breaking behavior, and anxious/depressed subscales. Lack of parental attention to meeting the needs and creating a supportive environment may have led to behavioral-emotional disorders and risky behaviors such as suicide in the boy.

Our subject is a 55-year-old man and a former civil servant. He claimed to have seen someone who others could not see. He believed that he is an important person. He had strange behavior such as separating himself from others, speaking and laughing alone, and collecting rubbish. Based on the assessment through observation, interviews, and psychological tests, the subject was diagnosed with schizophrenia and behavioral problems such as collect things. The subject’, s behavior appears because he feels pleasure after collecting goods. He did not do other activities that make him feel good,thus, the behavior was repeated. The intervention aims to reduce the frequency of collecting things through negative reinforcement and rewards techniques. The intervention eventually suppressed the behavior of collecting things carried out by the subject gradually.

It seems vital to address the problem of extramarital relationships or marital infidelity, which is a traumatic issue for families and spouses and a common issue in counseling and treatment for mental health therapists. This social problem is also very common, however, due to its crucial and personal aspect, accurate information about its prevalence is not available in Iran. Infidelity refers to any concealment of a spouse about an extramarital affair. In fact, secrecy is an important part of an illegitimate and romantic relationship. Types of infidelity include sexual, emotional, and virtual (Internet) infidelity. Men react more strongly to sexual infidelity and women to emotional infidelity. An important point to note is that dissatisfaction with marriage can lead to infidelity, but a successful marriage is no guarantee that it will not happen. Despite its prevalence, not much research has been done in this area. In a US study, integrative intervention therapy was used for couples with such problem and it was found that this integrated treatment model had a good effect on the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some tudies have been conducted in Iran despite the sensitivity of the issue. In a systematic review conducted in Mashhad to investigate the causes of infidelity in married women, four causes of individual-personality, cultural-social, family-educational, and religious-belief were more effective than other causes. In another study, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was performed in Tehran to reduce anxiety and depression among women with extramarital affairs and it was observed that this treatment clearly reduces the mentioned symptoms.