Clinical Psychology and Personality
Year:2021 | Volume:18 | Issue:2 (35)|Papers Count:15

Introduction: Patients with multiple sclerosis face a variety of physical and psychological stressors that reduce their quality of life. Considering the relationship between cognitive regulation of emotion and existential anxiety and diseases of the central nervous system, one of the methods that can help rehabilitate patients with multiple sclerosis is acceptance and commitment-based therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment-based therapy on cognitive regulation of emotion and existential anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis. Method: The research design method is quasi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and a control group. The sample consisted of 26 patients with multiple sclerosis in Rasht in 2019 who were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. To collect data, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (|Garnowski et al., 2001) and the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire (Good and Good, 1974) were used in the pre-and post-treatment stages. The experimental group was treated for 8 sessions based on acceptance and commitment, but the control group did not receive any treatment. Research data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results of univariate analysis of covariance showed that group therapy based on acceptance and commitment has an effect on improving cognitive regulation of emotion and existential anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis (p <0. 001). Discussion and conclusion: According to the results of this study, acceptance and commitment-based therapy can be effective in improving the cognitive and emotional symptoms of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Vaginismus is one of the sexual dysfunctions that can have an unpleasant effect on women's mental health and marital relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of schema therapy on reducing anxiety and depression and improving sexual function in women with vaginismus in the city of Kerman. Method: Present study is a descriptive quasi-experimental analysis. Its statistical population comprised of women suffering from vaginismus referring to counseling centers in Kerman. Thirty people were selected as the available sample and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups [15 people in each group]. The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of 90 minutes per week as a group. The Cattle Anxiety Scale [1973], Beck Depression Inventory [1988] and Rosen et al. 's [2000] Sexual Function Questionnaire were administered to both groups in two stages of pre-test and post-test. Data were collected and analyzed using analysis of covariance and repeated measures. Results: The results showed that the therapeutic scheme caused a significant decrease in the mean scores of anxiety and depression and a significant increase in the mean scores of sexual functions in the experimental group compared to the control group [P <0. 001]. The rate of anxiety and depression in the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-test phase and 12-month follow-up compared to the pre-test phase was significantly reduced [P <0. 001] and the rate of sexual function in the experimental group compared to the control group in the post-test phase and 12-month follow-up compared to the pre-test was significantly increased [P <0. 001]. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the schema-therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and depression and improving the sexual function of clients in counseling centers.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of maternal factors (attachment, parenting stress, maternal caregiving quality and parenting practices) in the development of behavioral problems in children. Method: The research is a descriptive study and is conducted within the framework of a correlational design. The sample consisted of 290 mothers of 3-to 6-year-old children in Jiroft who were selected by cluster sampling. Mothers completed a set of questionnaires including the Maternal Caregiving Quality Scale (MCQS), the Parenting Scale (PS), Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), the Collins and Reed Adult Attachment Scale, the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales, and the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). In order to evaluate the relationships between variables in the proposed model, structural equation modeling was used. Results: The results indicated that the final model has a good fit after eliminating nonsignificant pathway of parenting practices to the child's behavioral problems. Thus, maternal factors could explain 51% of the variance of child behavioral problems. The results indicated that maternal attachment directly affects maternal mindfulness, parenting stress, and parenting practices, and indirectly affects child's behavioral problems through parenting stress and maternal care quality. The results showed that mindfulness directly influences parenting stress, parenting practices and maternal care quality, and indirectly mediates through maternal care quality and parenting stress affects child behavioral problems. Also, parenting stress affects the child behavioral problems, both directly and indirectly, through affecting the maternal care quality. Discussion and conclusion: The results support the role of maternal factors in the development of children's behavioral problems. The implications of findings of final model in parenting training are discussed in detail.

Introduction: The attribution process is one of the most fundamental psychological phenomena that produce negative thoughts and emotions in situations of academic failure, whereby may exhibit maladaptive academic behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of attributional retraining intervention (AR) on students who are on probation. Method In an additive pilot project, 110 students on probation at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Tehran in the first semester of the 1397-98 academic year were called to study. After preliminary screening based on last term probation and low score on Perry's Perceived Academic Control Scale (2001), 30 participants were assigned to 3 groups including 2 attributional training groups (ABCDE AR and ABCDE + video AR) and a waiting list control group Two experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of AR intervention (each sessions120 minutes) for five weeks. The ABCDE group received AR intervention including group discussion and writing tasks and the second experimental group received AR intervention including watching 3 video-taped, group discussion and writing tasks. Participants completed the perceived control scale, life satisfaction scale (Cantril, 1965) and positive and negative affect scales (Mroczek and Kolarz, 1998) before and after the intervention and two months later. Student’, s previous semester grade point average and current semester grade point average obtained from the office of educational services. Results: The results of mixed analysis of variance showed that the attributional retraining intervention for probationary students led to a significant increase in the sense of control, improved academic performance and improved their mental well-being compared to the control group. Also, adding the film to the induction of attributional retraining had some positive consequences,However, it did not reach the level of statistical significance. Discussion and conclusion: Correcting incompatible causal attributes seems to increase the sense of control and strategic effort of the failed individuals, and this in turn leads to positive academic outcomes.

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to develop and test a model for explaining marital conflict based on basic needs in choice theory through the mediating role of spirituality Method: To this aim, a study based on correlational research model of structural equation modeling (path analysis) was conducted. A sample of 172 students of Islamic Azad University (131 females, 41 males) were selected by cluster sampling method and within each cluster through purposive sampling method. Each subject answered the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (MCQ), Glasser's Basic Needs (Sahebi's Basic Needs Compatibility Test) and Spirituality. SPSS-22, statistical software, was used for data processing. Results: The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the satisfaction of basic needs and spirituality and a significant negative relationship between spirituality and marital conflicts. The correlation between marital conflicts with the need for love and belonging and the need for entertainment is also negative and significant. The correlation between the five basic needs is all positive and meaningful,The results also showed that spirituality plays a mediating role in the relationship between conflicts and the need for survival, freedom and power. Discussion and conclusion: The final model for explaining the relationship between basic needs and marital conflicts through the spirituality variable includes the three needs of survival, freedom, and power, and the two needs of love / belonging and the need for entertainment have been omitted. At the same time, 5% of the variance of marital conflicts and 23% of the variance of spirituality can be explained based on Glasser's basic needs.

Introduction: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of self-management and emotion management training of mothers (from a series of symbol packages) of teenage girls in Tehran on aggression and resilience. Method: The present research design is a quasi-experimental pretest and posttest with a control group and a quarterly follow-up. The statistical population of this study included all mothers of female adolescents in Tehran in the academic year of 1997-98, whose daughters had high aggression and low resilience. In order to conduct the research, first screening was performed in which 500 students completed the Buss and Perry Aggression and Connor and Davidson Resilience Questionnaires, and 45 of them were selected as having high aggression and low resilience, then the sample was randomly divided into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). The self-management experimental group underwent self-management training for ten 90-minute sessions and the emotion management experimental group underwent emotion management training for ten 90-minute sessions. The instruments used in this study included Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (1992) and Connor and Davidson (2003) Resilience Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that in aggression, resilience, there is a significant difference between the three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up (P <0. 01) and the experimental and control groups (P <0. 05). Meanwhile, in the follow-up phase, the effectiveness of the implementation of self-management and emotion management training packages for aggression, resilience variables continued. Discussion and conclusion: Therefore, implementing self-management and emotion management training packages to mothers of female adolescents can have an important impact on reducing aggression and increasing resilience of their children.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a neurological and chronic disorder that affects the central nervous system. This disorder has negative effects on cognitive abilities. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive flexibility and memory span in patients suffering from epilepsy in the temporal lobe. Method: The present study had a semi-experimental design with pre and post-tests, and was performed on experimental and control groups. The statistical sample included 30 epileptic patients who had referred to private medical centers in Urmia for treatment. Cognitive abilities were measured via Cognitive Flexibility questionnaire and Wechsler Numerical Memory Scale. After the pretest, 15 subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 15 subjects were placed in the control group. Patients in the experimental group received direct transcranial electrical stimulation for 10 sessions with an intensity of 1. 5 mA for 20 minutes. Anode electrode was placed in the F3 region and cathode electrode in F4. Then posttest was conducted for both groups and data were analyzed by multivariate covariance analysis. Results: The results of the analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the two groups in terms of cognitive flexibility and memory expansion,This means that the direct transcranial electrical stimulation intervention method has improved the mean score of cognitive flexibility as well as memory expanse in patients. Discussion and conclusion: The results showed that direct transcranial electrical stimulation can be an effective intervention to improve cognitive flexibility and working memory in people with epilepsy, And physicians and psychologists working in this field can use this method along with other interventions to solve patients' cognitive problems.

Introduction: according to the high prevalence of social anxiety disorder, the purpose of this study was to determine the structural relationships between social anxiety, in which the role of factors such as the sensitivity of the behavioral inhibition system, self-focused attention, negative self-perception, emotion dysregulation, and Anxiety sensitivity in a structural model was studied. Method: The present study was correlational with a path analysis approach. The variables studied using the Watson Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms, Beck Self-Concept Test, woody Focus Point inventory, Difficulties in emotion regulation scale, and the Floyd Anxiety Sensitivity Scale. The sample included 408 (208 girls and 200 boys) students of the University of Tabriz. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS Statistical software by multiple regression and path analysis methods. Results: The results of path analysis indicated that there is a positive relationship between high sensitivity of behavioral inhibition system, self-focused attention, negative self-perception, emotion dysregulation, anxiety sensitivity and social anxiety. On the other hand, negative self-perception, Self-focused attention, emotion dysregulation and anxiety sensitivity as intermediary variables play a significant role in this model. The optimal fit of the observed model with the theoretical model suggests that these factors can significantly predict and explain social anxiety directly and indirectly. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the abovementioned results, reducing the effective factors in the occurrence of social anxiety to psychological factors and ignoring biological and personality factors is simplistic, so it is logical to adopt a more comprehensive approach in the processes of etiology and treatment.

Introduction: Considering the role of early experiences of individuals with parents in the formation of identity in adulthood, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of object relations in the formation of identity states and also to determine the mediating and moderating role of ego strength in this regard. Method: Based on a correlation plan, 200 students in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch in the academic year of 1997-98 were selected by accessible sampling method. They responded to the Bell Object Relation Inventory, the Revised Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strength. Results: Data analyses using regression method showed that object relations and ego strength can significantly predict identity status. Furthermore, results of hierarchical regression analyses supported the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between object relations and advanced identity. In addition, the moderating role of ego strength in the relationship between ego centricity of object relations and postponed identity was confirmed. Discussion and conclusion: These findings indicate the importance of paying attention to the structure of the ego in examining identity challenges. They can also be used for enrichment of mediating models and better understanding of the role of childhood relationships in development of identity in adulthood.

Introduction: Self-esteem refers to a person's mental evaluation of his or her worth as a human being and can be likened to a conscious immune system that protects the child against many psychological disorders. Therefore, it is very important to build the foundations of self-respect in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Story and play therapy package on improving children's self-esteem. Method: The research design was semi-experimental with pre-test-post-test and a control group. Stories and plays whose content validity was confirmed by experts were used as a therapeutic package to measure their effectiveness on children. The statistical population of this study consisted of children aged 6 to 9 years in Isfahan, 30 of whom were selected as available and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups and The Battle Self-esteem Questionnaire (1992) was completed as a pre-test and post-test for them. Results: The results of analysis of covariance showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of research variable (P <0. 05) and the story and play therapy package significantly increased children's self-esteem. Discussion and conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the effectiveness of storytelling and play therapy packages on children's self-esteem has been confirmed and is proposed as an effective intervention to improve children's self-esteem.

Introduction: The complete mental health model, using medical and capability models, evaluates the level of mental health of individuals based on the severity of symptoms of illness and signs of well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the short form of complete mental health scale and to provide empirical evidence for using the total score of this scale. Method: This study is a descriptive-analytical study of validation type. The statistical sample consisted of 600 student-teachers from Tehran who were selected by available sampling method and completed the Complete Mental Health Scale, Psychological Wellbeing Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis confirmed the existence of three factors that explain 61. 781% of total variance of the scale. The results of confirmatory factor analysis, in addition to confirming the results of exploratory factor analysis, showed that among the competing models, the bi-factor model shows the factor structure of the scale better than other models. And the bi-factor model was suggested as an experimental witness for using the total score scale. The reliability of the scale was obtained by Cronbach's alpha and retesting methods of 0. 84 and 0. 82, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The results of this study showed that this scale has appropriate psychometric properties in the non-clinical group and the total score can be used.

Introduction: Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire is one of the self-report tools for measuring personality traits and characteristics based on the five main dimensions of personality. The main purpose of this study was to determine the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Persian form of the short version of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja personality questionnaire among Iranian students. (ZKA-PQ/SF). Method: This study was applied in terms of purpose and survey in terms of method. The sample of the present study consisted of 1699 students (733 boys and 966 girls) who were members of the telegram groups and channels at the university in the fall of 1397 and were selected by purposive sampling. They answered Zuckerman-kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire Short Form and the NEO Personality Questionnaire Short Form. Cronbach alpha coefficient, content validity (NEO Personality Questionnaire), and construct validity were considered in an attempt to investigate the psychometric properties of the inventory. Components of the test were calculated through principal component analysis with varimax rotation by SPSS, version 25. Results: Results: The results of exploratory factor analysis showed a 5-factor structure that altogether explain 65. 59% of the total variance. The results also showed that the validity of the test obtained by Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire was 0. 93 and for the subscales of Aggressiveness, Activity, Extraversion, Neuroticism and Sensation Seeking were 0. 77, 0. 70, 0. 91, 0. 86 and 0. 65, respectively. Simultaneous validity study had a significant relationship between neo-personality components and Zuckerman personality components. Discussion and conclusion: Considering the degree of reliability and validity obtained, the short version of Zuckerman Personality Test is an instrument that can be used in research fields. It is recommended to check the validity of this questionnaire at the clinical level.

Introduction: Experiencing negative sexual emotions can have devastating effects on sexual responses and threaten people's communication health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to prepare the sexual boredom scale to measure some of the negative sexual emotions. Method: The present study method is a descriptive survey. The statistical population included all Men and Women referring to counseling centers affiliated with the Family Court of Mashhad, among which 245 people (157 females and 88 males) were selected by available sampling method. They responded to the questionnaires of Hulbert’, s sexual desire index, boredom proneness scale and sexual boredom scale. The psychometric properties of the sexual boredom scale were analyzed through the analysis of the principal component analysis, Pearson correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficient in SPSS software. Results: Using the factor analysis test, three underlying factors (sexual variety seeking, monotony and Stimulation Seeking) of sexual boredom scale were identified. In the convergent and divergent validity test, the overall score of sexual boredom and the two dimensions of variety seeking and monotony were positively correlated with boredom proneness and negatively correlated with sexual desire. Also, sexual stimulation seeking was negatively correlated with boredom proneness. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total score of the sexual boredom scale was 0. 79 and for its dimensions was 0. 68 to 0. 82. Discussion and conclusion: The findings indicate acceptable structural validity and reliability of the sexual boredom scale, and the multidimensional structure of this scale can help couples' therapists to better diagnose, intervene, and understand the sexual and communication problems.

Introduction: Existential thinking is defined as the tendency to explore the fundamental question of existence and is the candidate for inclusion as a ninth intelligence in the classification of Gardner's multiple intelligences, Due to the lack of a valid tool for measuring the structure of existential thinking in Iranian society, this study was designed to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the existential thinking scale. Method: To this aim, in a survey study, 250 students of Al-Zahra and Shahed universities in the 2016-2017 academic year were selected by available sampling method. All participants completed the existential thinking scale (SET), death anxiety scale (DAS), existential anxiety questionnaire and spiritual intelligence self-report inventory (SISRI-24). Data analysis were performed by factor analysis, Pearson correlation and Cronbach's alpha coefficient in SPSS V. 23 and Amos. The validity of the Existential Thinking Scale was measured by construct validity and concurrent validity. To evaluate the reliability of the scale, the method of calculating the internal consistency coefficient and the one-month retest method were used. Results: The findings showed that the internal consistency coefficient for the whole scale is 0. 88 and the correlation coefficient of the test retest is 0. 75. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the scale is a single factor, and the concurrent validity was confirmed by positive and significant correlation of the scale with the scores of the Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire and the Critical Existential Thinking subscale, and by negative and significant correlation with the scores of the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire. Discussion and conclusion: SET enjoys acceptable psychometric properties regarding the ease of administration, scoring, and interpretation, as well as the suitable validity and reliability of the scale. thus, researchers can safely use it in their studies.

Research in the psychological sciences in recent years has been tied to methodological progress and rethinking. In this view, Single-Case Experimental Designs (SCEDs) or n of 1 designs have found new life. One of the biggest challenges of using these schemes is postacquisition data analysis. A challenge that motivates many classical psychology researchers and novice researchers to apply these designs. The purpose of this article is to introduce the importance, conditions and theoretical and practical necessities of these designs and to explain how to visually and statistically analyze the data obtained from these designs, in terms of numerical examples. Intra-situational and inter-situational analysis of each can be calculated and interpreted by several visual and statistical methods. These analyzes are explained explicitly and clearly and the necessary criteria for the practical interpretation of each index are also provided.