Community Health Journal
Year:2023 | Volume:17 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Introduction: The existence of mental and physical health defects creates multiple crises in individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in hope and chronic pain among girls aged 20 to 50 years with physical disabilities. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed with a pre-test and post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all girls with physical disabilities in Arsanjan, who were admitted to the Welfare Department of Arsanjan in 2020. The statistical sample consisted of 30 girls with physical disabilities who volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups of fifteen: an experimental group and a control group. Data were collected using the Hope test (Schneider, 1991) and chronic pain (Cleland, 1996). The experimental group then received an ACT treatment program for eight 60-minute sessions. However, the control group did not receive any training. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures at a significance level of 0. 05 with SPSS software version 18. Results: Mean and standard deviation of the pre-test (post-test) score of the experimental group in the variable of hope was 12/64±, 7/41 (27/67±, 5/32) and the variable of chronic pain was 33/43±, 7/16 (26/37±, 5/27). No significant change was observed in the control group. Acceptance and commitment-based intervention increased hope and reduced chronic joint pain in the experimental group (p<0. 001). Conclusion: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) was effective in increasing hope and reducing chronic pain in girls with physical and motor disabilities, and in the follow-up period of the mentioned treatment, it also had a stable and sustainable therapeutic effect. Therefore, it can be used as a psychological intervention for girls with physical-motor disabilities.

Introduction: Due to the significance of the side effects of fear of COVID-19, a high-quality and intercultural instrument is helpful to understand the outcomes of health at the global level. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the psychometrics of the fear of COVID-19 scale in a larger population than in previous studies using reliable and valid psychometric indexes. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted with a cross-sectional design using convenience sampling during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Iran. Data were collected online through social networks among the general Iranian population (926 people). Construct validation was performed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To evaluate the construct reliability, composite reliability and internal consistency were used. Results: Exploratory factor analysis indicated a one-factor structure which accounted for 53. 69% of the total variance of fear of COVID-19 in the general Iranian population. Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices confirmed the first-order model. As such, the coefficients of Cronbach’, s alpha, Omega McDonald, AIC, H index, and CR confirmed the internal consistency of the overall scale (>0. 77). Moreover, the extracted factor had good d convergent validity. Conclusion: Psychometrics of the fear of COVID-19 scale at the peak of the COVID outbreak (the fifth wave) showed evidence of reliability and validity in the general population. Therefore, this scale is reliable and is recommended to examine people's fears at different times and during severe crises.

Introduction: Loneliness and death anxiety are two basic psychological problems experienced by the elderly, and well-being therapy is an intervention that can be effective in this case. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of well-being therapy on loneliness and death anxiety in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was applied research conducted as quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all elderly people aged 65 to 85 years living in Neshat daily nursing home in Mashhad, 30 of whom were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The members of the experimental group participated in the weekly well-being therapy sessions and no intervention was done in the case of the control group. The Russell, Pilau, and Ferguson (1978) Loneliness Scale and the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (1970) were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26 and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The findings showed that the comparison of the adjusted means of loneliness and death anxiety scores in the post-test and follow-up stages increased compared to the pre-test stage. The interactive effect of time × group on the loneliness component (p=0. 0001, F=124. 70) and on the death anxiety component (p=0. 0001, F=119. 70) was significant at the level of 0. 01. Conclusion: Well-being therapy can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and death anxiety in the elderly as a non-pharmacological treatment.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting the central nervous system. The chronic nature of the disease, the unknown prognosis, the uncertain treatment, and the involvement of the individual at a young age lead tonumerous psychosocial consequences for these patients. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of group intervention based on the hope therapy approach in general health and hope of patients with MS. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The study population included all women with MS under the auspices of the Kermanshah MS Association, among which 30 people were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two equal groups of 15 people. Data were collected using a checklist of demographic information, General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979), and Hope Questionnaire (Herth, 1989). The hope-based therapy program was administered to the experimental group for 1/5 hours in 8 weekly sessions, but the control group did not receive this program. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Data analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the mean post-test scores of the experimental and control groups (p<0. 05) so that the hope therapy program promotes hope (F= 8. 40, p<0. 012, Eta= 0. 619) and general health in the experimental group (F= 23. 42, p<0. 008, Eta= 0. 631). Moreover, the mean scores of anxiety, depression, social functioning, and physical symptoms in the experimental group showed improvement in the post-test. Conclusion: It seems that, as a treatment of choice, group hope therapy is effective in improving the level of hope and promoting the general health of MS patients. Therefore, the use of psychological interventions in therapeutic settings is recommended.

Introduction: Exercise training and some supplements, such as Nigella Sativa, significantly change inflammatory factors and fat percentage. The present study aims to determine the effects of four weeks of aerobic exercise and the use of Nigella Sativa Oil Supplementation separately or together on fat percentage and C-reactive protein inflammatory index in inactive women. Materials and methods: This semi-experimental research was conducted in the form of pre-post-test and the field method. For this purpose, 40 inactive women were selected and randomly divided into four equal groups, including exercise-supplement, exercise-placebo, supplement, and control. Aerobic exercises during four sessions and Nigella Sativa Oil Supplementation in the form of a 1000 mg capsule were given daily after lunch. Fat percentage and CRP were measured before and 48 hours after the last exercise and supplementation protocol. Statistical analysis was performed by paired t-test and analysis of covariance at a significance level of p<0. 05. Results: Covariance analysis showed a significant decrease in CRP levels (p<0. 001),also, a significant difference was observed between the control group and the experimental groups and between the placebo group and the exercise-supplement and supplement groups (p<. 0/05). The intragroup results indicated a significant decrease in CRP in three experimental groups before and after four weeks of training and supplementation (p<0. 01). The difference in fat percentage between groups was not significant. There was a significant decrease in fat percentage in the placebo group before and after four weeks of training and supplementation (p<0. 05). Conclusion: It is recommended to use the black seed oil supplement alone and in combination with aerobic exercise to improve the effect of aerobic exercise in reducing inflammatory injuries. In order to have a better effect of aerobic exercise in decreasing inflammatory injuries, Nigella Sativa Oil can be used alone and in combination with aerobic exercise.

Introduction: This study aimed to explain the effectiveness of treatment based on a modified pattern of parent-child interaction, sleep quality, and communication with parents and peers in children aged 9-12 years with Internet addiction. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using pretest/posttest with a control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all 3617 students aged 9-12 years studying in selected schools in Kerman in the academic year 2000-2001. Of these, 99 students obtained Internet addiction scores, and 72 students were randomly selected and divided into case and control groups. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Attachment Questionnaire. The researcher then performed the research intervention for the experimental group. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, descriptive and inferential statistical methods, and a parametric bread test. Results: The results showed a decreased Internet addiction (before and after intervention as 88. 14±, 4. 04 and 75. 14±, 5. 44, respectively), improved sleep quality (before and after intervention as 1. 75±, 2. 62 and 0. 5±, 0. 77 0. 0, respectively) promoted parent-child relationship (before and after intervention as 30. 56±, 4. 05 and 49. 58±, 4. 18, respectively), and promoted child-peer relationship (before and after intervention as 31. 83±, 4. 78 and 6. 19 ±, 37. 5, respectively) in the intervention group (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The current treatment improved parent-child and peer-child relationships, reduced Internet addiction, and improved sleep quality. Therefore, it can be used to create a safe attachment for the child and reduce the dependence on the Internet and its consequences.

Introduction: The rising divorce rate in Iranian society is a clear sign of the turmoil in marital life in Iranian families,thus, effective interventions to control this turmoil are essential. Therefore, this study compares the effectiveness of self-regulated-and acceptance and commitment-based couple therapies on destructive marriage habits of married women. Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental of pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up. All married women referring to counseling and psychotherapy centers in Bushehr in 2019-220 formed the statistical population of the study, of whom, by available sampling, 60 were selected and randomly assigned to three equal groups. Therapeutic interventions were applied to the experimental groups in 8 sessions (2 sessions of 90 minutes per week), while the control group did not receive any intervention. The Quality of Marital Relationships Scale (Mohammadi & Pirkhaefi, 2015) was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: The results showed that the changes in the destructive marriage habits and their dimensions (criticizing, nagging, blaming, threatening, rewarding to control/bribing, punishing, complaining) in both experimental groups were significant compared to the control group in the post-test and follow-up phases, and both treatment methods reduced the destructive marriage habits in the women (p<0. 05). Also, the comparison of the two treatment methods showed that couple therapy based on acceptance and commitment worked more beneficially than that based on self-regulated (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Self-regulated-and acceptance and commitment-based couple therapy may be used by family and couple counselors as an effective, inexpensive, and easy method to administer interventions to increase the quality of the marital relationship.

Introduction: Cancer leads to several psychological consequences such as anxiety and depression, and interventions based on finding meaning in life can help reduce these complications. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts in death anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, and a control group. The statistical population of the study included all women with breast cancer admitted to the psychosomatic center of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari in 2021. Thirty patients were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 patients in each group). For the experimental group, a logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts was performed in 8 sessions of 75 minutes, and for the control group, no treatment was performed. Death anxiety scale and Beck Depression Inventory were completed by participants in the pre-test and post-test stages. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Results: According to the results, in the experimental group, the death anxiety and depression scores were 12. 93±, 3. 83 and 52. 29±, 12. 47 in the pre-test, which were reduced to 8. 16±, 2. 31 and 43. 08±, 10. 23, respectively, in the post-test. In the control group, the death anxiety score in the pretest was 13. 22±, 4. 15 and the depression score was 50. 97±, 11. 46, and in the post-test, without significant changes, they were 12. 78±, 3. 89 and 49. 88±, 9. 34, respectively. Therefore, logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts significantly reduced the scores of death anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer (p<0. 001) in the experimental group, while in the control group, no such change was observed (p>0. 001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that logotherapy based on Rumi's thoughts can be effective in improving the level of death anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer.