JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS AND METHODS
Year:2013 | Volume:3 | Issue:12|Papers Count:7

To study the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral group therapy, and to improve processes in households of Birjand's families with addicted members, a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and control group was used. The sample of the study, employing random and available sampling selection, consisted of 30 families, with addicted members who came to Birjand Addiction Treatment Centers for addiction treatment. These 30 families were divided into two 15-member groups (functioning as Experimental and Control Groups). Family process questionnaire was selected as the instrument for this research. For data analysis, SPSS software Covariance Statistical Analysis Test and Independent- T statistical analysis were employed. The findings showed statistically significant differences between the differential average scores of the two groups. Also, the results of covariance analysis showed there was a significant difference between the two groups (f=3.27, f=11.45). This was indicative of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy group which could improve the family processes of addiction and could create practical results in the process of improving the quality of family. Through family education programs, the quality of people's attitudes towards addicted families could be improved if preliminary control and preventive drugs were provided for them.

The purpose of this study was to exam the psychometric properties of the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory for college students. The sample consisted of 400 college students in Islamic Azad University (109 male and 291 female). The sampling method was multi-stage cluster sampling. The Persian form of Ambivalent Sexism Inventory was used in the study. The results of principle component factor analysis showed a two factor solution for the inventory. The alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability coefficient revealed an acceptable reliability for the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory. In sum, the results showed that the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory is a useful instrument for research job.

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of cognitive behavioral stress management on improving the quality of life and coping style of patients with cancer. A quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and control group was used. Participants were 30 patients with cancer who were selected from among patients referred to oncology centers and oncology clinics in Shiraz. They were placed randomly into two groups of 15 participants. The experimental group received 10 sessions of cognitive behavior stress management therapy. The control group did not receive any psychological intervention. The research instruments were the Quality of Life Questionnaire published by the European Research Organization (Aronson, 1987); and Coping Style Questionnaire as well. The results suggested an improvement and a statistically significant difference in the quality of life and coping style in the experimental group compared with the control group. A two-month follow up study confirmed the results. Cognitive behavior stress management resulted in the improvement of quality of life and coping style.

This study aimed at investigating direct and indirect effects of marital standards on couple's marital satisfaction, considering dyadic coping as a mediator. Participants in the study were 150 couples (150 males, 150 females) who were living in Ahvaz, Iran. They were selected by using multi-phasic random sampling method. Participants completed Inventory of Specific Relationship Standards (ISRS), Evaluation and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness (ENRICH) and Dyadic coping Inventory (DCI). The data were analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM); and also the indirect effects were tested by using bootstrapping method of AMOS/16 software. Results showed that, statistically, the data showed a good fit for the proposed model. Results of structural equation modeling indicated that marital standards have directly a positive effect, only for husbands, on their marital satisfaction. The results, moreover, indicated that for husbands, as well as for wives, marital standards had indirect effect on marital satisfaction through mediating of dyadic coping self and partner.

The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) in Iranian population. In this study, 403 (215 female, 178 male) adolescents, aged 12-17, studying in four regions of Shiraz were selected by cluster sampling. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale in the first SAS-A subscales were translated, so they were given the necessary cultural change and were ready to be used. Students completed the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). The results obtained from factor analyses supported the three-factor structure proposed by the original authors (FNE, SAD-New, and SAD-General). Evidence for convergent and discriminate validity was found. Also, internal consistencies were high for all three subscales. These findings provide the initial support for the use of the SAS-A among Iranian adolescent population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of identity processing styles questionnaire. A sample of 539 (253 female and 286 male) high school students in Shiraz were selected by cluster sampling method, to participate in the study. Identity processing styles questionnaire, by White and colleagues (ISI-6G), was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. To check the validity, an exploratory factor analysis and convergent validity were also used. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, the internal consistency (through Cronbach's alpha) was calculated proving the coefficients was acceptable. Preliminary estimates indicated that the questionnaire was a reliable and valid instrument for measuring identity processing.

The current study investigated psychometric properties of Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), which included Cronbach's Alpha, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and factor analysis, among a sample of Iranian students. In this study a sample of 201 students at BA and MA levels from Shiraz University were selected. The Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest procedures, with a one-week interval, were used to identify the reliability of PTGI. Regarding concurrent validity, the correlations of the PTGI with scales for Positive Affect, Negative Affect and Optimism were computed. Moreover, to identify the underlying constructs for the measures under study, factor analysis with using Principal Component Analysis and Varimax rotation were carried out. The Cronbach's a coefficient was significant (a=0.92). The correlations between the PTGI and three anticipating variables were statistically significant (P<0.001). Finally, the results of factor analysis with using Varimax rotation yielded four factors that explained 62% variances of total scale. These factors were labeled as following: Personal Strength; new possibilities and goals; intimacy and closeness feelings with others, and attempting to maintain relationship with others. The results of the study revealed the PTGI to be reliable and valid in Iranian context, and in order to measure positive outcomes after a traumatic event in life, they could be used.