Shenakht Journal of Psychology and Psychiatry
Year:2023 | Volume:10 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense anxiety in social situations where the person is likely to be evaluated by others. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of contextual schema therapy on emotion regulation and painful physical symptoms in individuals with social anxiety disorder. Method: This study employed an A-B single-subject design. The statistical population included all the people with social anxiety disorder in Mashhad city, in 2021, and 12 people were selected by convenience sampling method. Then, the contextual schema therapy was conducted during 16 sessions of 1 hour once a week for 12 subjects. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2003) and the Visual Analog Scale (1921) were used in this study. The Subjects answered the questionnaires in the baseline phase, at sessions 4, 8, 12 and 16, and at 3-month follow-up. The data were analyzed using visual analysis, improvement percentage, reliable change index, and non-overlapping effect size. Results: The improvement percentage (25%<), the reliable change index (1. 96<) and the nonoverlapping data (75<) indicated the significant effect of the treatment in increasing the reappraisal subscale of all subjects (except subject 12), reducing the expressive suppression subscale of all subjects and reducing painful physical symptoms of all subjects (except subject 7). The improvement percentage at the follow-up showed that the intervention was effective in increasing the reappraisal, reducing expressive suppression and painful physical symptoms. Conclusion: Based on the findings, contextual schema therapy was effective in improving emotion regulation and reducing painful physical symptoms by modifying the modes and the third wave methods. Therefore, contextual schema therapy can be suggested as a suitable intervention for social anxiety disorder.

Introduction: The stigma associated with occupational stress and burnout in mental health professionals (MHPs) is one of the major barriers to seeking psychological help in this population. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the psychological help seeking stigma scale toward occupational stress and burnout in MHPs. Method: This psychometric research was conducted on a population of counselors and psychologists in Tehran, Iran, in 2021. A total of 316 MHPs, who were selected via convenience sampling, completed the MHPSS by Clough & et al. (2020), as well as Goldberg’, s General Health Questionnaire (1972) through Whatsapp application. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was measured to examine the internal consistency of the scale. The validity of the scale was also evaluated by calculating convergent validity and performing a confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS version 24 software. Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis revealed four factors of “, structural stigma”, , “, self-stigma”, , “, perceived other stigma”, , and “, personal stigma”, . The convergent validity of the scale with the GHQ was favorable. Regarding the reliability of the scale, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was measured to be 0. 88 for the entire scale, 0. 73 for structural stigma, 0. 76 for selfstigma, 0. 81 for perceived other stigma, and 0. 85 for personal stigma. Conclusion: In this study, the validity and reliability of the MHPSS were confirmed. Overall, this tool can be used to conduct further detailed research on the MHP population due to the implicit assessment of psychological help-seeking stigma, in addition to its specific design for MHPs.

Introduction: Borderline personality disorder is a type of mental health problem, which affects the patient’, s way of thinking and feeling about oneself and others and causes problems in daily functioning. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of individual schema therapy, with and without supportive therapy, in alleviating the symptoms of patients with borderline personality disorder. Method: This empirical semi-experimental study, with a pretest-posttest control group design, was conducted on a statistical population, consisting of all patients with borderline personality disorder, referred to Quds Hospital of Sanandaj, Iran, during 2020-2021. Via convenience sampling, 45 patients were selected and divided into three groups of 15 people. Weaver and Clum’, s Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index (1993) was used for data collection. To analyze the data, multivariate analysis of variance and t-test were performed in SPSS Version 22. Results: The results showed a significant difference in the symptoms of borderline personality disorder between the two groups (P≤, 0. 01). Also, pretest-posttest comparisons indicated that the mean score of borderline personality disorder symptoms decreased by 0. 97 in the individual schema therapy group without supportive treatment and by 1. 12 in the individual schema therapy group with supportive therapy. Conclusion: Since there was a significant difference between individual schema therapy, with and without supportive therapy, in alleviating the symptoms of patients with borderline personality disorder, it is recommended to implement individual schema therapy, along with supportive therapy for the treatment of this disorder.

Introduction: Decision-making is one of the key factors that are highly associated with psychological factors. However, there are few studies on the relationship between this variable and mental toughness. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental toughness and decision-making accuracy considering the mediating role of gender. Method: The present study was a descriptive correlational study. The statistical population of the study included all futsal referees in the country's first division in 2020-2021, and 123 individuals were voluntarily selected as the statistical sample. The Spitz & et al. (2018) Decision Accuracy Test of and the Clough & et al. (2002) Mental Toughness Questionnaire were used to collect data. Finally, to examine the relationship between the variables, Pearson correlation, regression and independent ttest, and SPSS version 21 software were used. Results: The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between mental toughness and decision accuracy (r=0. 32, P=0. 001). Also, the results of the components of mental toughness showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the challenge, commitment, emotional control, and life control components with decision accuracy (P<0. 05). A multiple regression test showed that decision accuracy is influenced by mental toughness (B=0. 030), and there is a significant difference between men and women in mental toughness (t=3. 81, P<0. 001), but this difference in decision accuracy was not significant (P>0. 05). Conclusion: The presence of a significant relationship between mental toughness and decision accuracy indicates that decision accuracy improves with increasing mental toughness. Therefore, it is suggested that the variable of mental toughness can be used as an effective psychological method to improve cognitive performance.

Introduction: Specific learning disorder is one of the most important school-age disorders, and about 2-10% of children suffer from this disorder. Aim: The research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on behavioral inhibition and self-efficacy in children with specific learning disorders. Method: The research method was a semi-experimental type of pre-test and post-test with a control group. The statistical population of the research includes all elementary school girls aged 10 to 12 years who referred to the center of learning disorders in Babol city in 2021 (207 people), of which 30 people were selected by the available method and randomly in two experimental groups and controls were replaced. To collect data, Hoffmann (1984) Go/no-go Test (behavioral inhibition) and Morris Self-efficacy Questionnaire (2001) were used. The cognitive behavioral therapy program was implemented in 10 sessions of 45 minutes based on Seiler's model (2008) only on the experimental group. The data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS software version 18. Results: The results showed that there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in behavioral inhibition and self-efficacy in children with specific learning disorders (P<0. 01). In general, cognitive behavioral therapy is effective on behavioral inhibition and self-efficacy in children with specific learning disorders (P<0. 01). Conclusion: According to the results of this research, paying attention to the role of cognitive behavioral therapy in creating changes in the behavioral inhibition system and self-efficacy has important therapeutic implications. Therefore, paying attention to the role of cognitive behavioral therapy in making changes in the behavioral inhibition system and self-efficacy has important therapeutic implications.

Introduction: Some personality traits and characteristics are "subclinical threshold" that their intensity in an individual is not as much as clinical personality disorders but they can cause various abnormalities. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship and role of immature defense mechanisms in predicting the dark triad personality traits. Method: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on the population of individuals referring to vaccination centers in Sanandaj city in 2020-2021. Out of these individuals, 282 were selected as the sample population. The research instruments were the Andrews' Defense Styles Questionnaire (1993) and Paulhus's Short Dark Tetrad (2021). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, structural equation modeling, and stepwise regression analysis with SPSS version 23 and Amos version 26 software. Results: The results showed a significant relationship between immature defense mechanisms and the dark triad personality traits (P≤, 0. 05). Moreover, the structural model results showed that immature defense mechanisms explained 81% of the dark traits. According to the regression results, splitting (β, =0. 271, P≤, 0. 01), denial (β, =0. 168, P≤, 0. 01), and omnipotence (β, =0. 142, P≤, 0. 05) were better predictors of dark triad personality traits than other defense mechanisms. Conclusion: The use of immature defense mechanisms can predict dark personality traits. By recognizing the impact of defense mechanisms on personality traits and emphasizing psychological training and helping them become self-aware, it can be expected that dark personality traits will also decrease.

Introduction: Corona virus is one of the viruses that cause respiratory infections. In addition, humans always experience fear and anxiety when faced with situations that are beyond their control. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to predict the anxiety of corona infection based on the cognitive regulation strategies of emotion, religious beliefs and resilience in students. Method: The descriptive research method is correlation type. The statistical population included all the students of Islamic Azad University, Shahrood branch in the academic year 2019-2020, and 384 students were selected as a sample using available sampling method and according to Karjesi and Morgan's table. Corona Virus Anxiety Questionnaires (2019), Cognitive Emotion Regulation (2001), Allport and Ross Religious Beliefs (1967) and Connor and Davidson Resilience (2003) have been used. To analyze the data, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used with SPSS software version 26. Results: Based on the results, there is a negative relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and resilience (P<0. 05) and a positive and significant relationship with religious orientation (P<0. 05). Also, the regression analysis showed that 29. 6% of the variance of the anxiety of contracting corona can be explained based on compatible and incompatible strategies of cognitive emotion regulation, internal and external religious orientation, and resilience. Conclusion: The results showed that the strategies of cognitive emotion regulation, religious orientation/beliefs and resilience have the ability to predict the anxiety of contracting corona virus in students and can reduce the anxiety of corona virus in students.

Introduction: Research has shown that neglecting psychological skills such as mindfulness leads to a decline in physical and psychological performance in people. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a course of mindfulness exercises on working memory indexes in adolescents. Method: The present study was a semi-experimental study with two experimental and control groups. The statistical population consisted of teenagers aged 14 to 18 years in the first district of Tehran city in 2022. The participants included 20 adolescents (10 girls and 10 boys) who were available, selected, and randomly divided into two 10-member mindfulness and control groups. The mindfulness group exercises lasted 20-45 minutes per session for 6 weeks. Corsi Block software was used to measure working memory indexes. Mixed analysis of variance and independent and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. All statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS software version 21 at the P<0. 05 level. Results: The results for the number of correct responses showed that the main effect of stage (F=26. 85, P=0. 0001, η, 2=0. 59) and the interactive effect of stage-group (F=10. 87, P=0. 004, η, 2=0. 37) were significant, but the main effect of group (F=0. 23, P=0. 59, η, 2=0. 01) was not significant. The results of the paired-samples t test showed that the mindfulness group showed significant progress from the pretest to the posttest (P=0. 0001). Conclusion: The results of this study show the effect of mindfulness exercises on working memory indicators in adolescents. This type of intervention can be of great help to professionals in this field to improve people's cognitive and motor performance. Therefore, it is suggested to use mindfulness exercises to improve working memory and its effect on the process of cognitive decisions.

Introduction: Previous studies suggest that the severity of alterations in cognitive functions in people with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder are directly related to the deterioration in overall functioning and life quality. Aim: The present study aimed to test the cognitive functional model of patients with bipolar disorder regarding childhood traumatic experiences based on the mediating role of emotional instability and expressed emotion. Method: The research method is descriptive-correlational modeling of structural equations. The sample population included all patients with bipolar disorder who were admitted to Yahyanejad Hospital in Babol, Iran during 17 months (from March/April 2010 until mid-September 2020). In total, 379 subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Data collection tools were The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) by Bernstein and Fink (1998), the Emotional Instability Scale by Oliver and Simpson (2004), the Expressed Emotion Level by Hall & et al. (2007), and the Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire by Nejati (2013). Data analysis was performed by structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS version 24 and Lisrel version 8. 8. Results: The findings showed that childhood traumatic experiences directly affect emotional instability, expressed emotion, and cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder (P<0. 5). Further, emotional instability and expressed emotion play a mediating role in the correlation between childhood traumatic experiences and cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder (P<0. 5). Conclusion: According to the results, emotional instability and expressed emotion have a mediating role in the correlation between childhood traumatic experiences and cognitive function in patients with bipolar disorder. Therefore, in order to improve the cognitive function of people with bipolar disorder, instrumented variables of stability and emotion should be taken into consideration.

Introduction: Not only can the experience of pain be a factor for drug use, but it can also be a motivation to use drugs again during and after treatment. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment-based therapy and mindfulness-based therapy on chronic pain in People with drug addiction. Method: The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group with one-month follow-up. The statistical population included people suffering from drug abuse who referred to addiction treatment clinics in Arak city in 2021. Using available sampling method, 60 people were selected and randomly put/ placed in experimental and control groups (20 people in each group). The research tool included the revised McGill Pain Questionnaire (2009). Mindfulness therapy was implemented in 8 sessions (90 minutes each session) and acceptance and commitment based therapy was also implemented in 8 sessions (90 minutes each session). Data were analyzed using SPSS-25 statistical software and covariance analysis. Results: The results of covariance analysis for chronic pain in the post-test and follow-up phase showed/ demonstrated a significant difference (P=0. 001). Both treatments had a significant effect on the improvement of chronic pain, and it is worth noting that this effect was greater for the treatment group for whom the treatment was based on acceptance and commitment (P=0. 01). Conclusion: Treatment based on acceptance and commitment showed more effectiveness in improving chronic pain compared to mindfulness. Therefore, the use of acceptance and commitment-based therapy is recommended to improve chronic pain in people suffering from drug abuse.

Introduction: A normal sexual desire plays an important role in marital stability,therefore, it is essential to identify factors affecting it. Aim: The present study aimed to predict sexual desire based on emotional self-regulation, experiential avoidance, and depressive symptoms in female teachers in Bafq, Iran. Method: In this descriptive-correlational study, the statistical population consisted of 225 female teachers, who taught the second grade of high school in Bafq, Iran, during the academic year 2021-2022. Finally, 130 samples were selected from the statistical population via convenience sampling. The data collection tools included the Halbert Index of Sexual Desire (1991), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire by John and Gross (2003), Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (2011), and Beck’, s Depression Inventory (1961). Data analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test and multiple regression analysis in SPSS Version 26. Results: The results showed a significant positive relationship between cognitive reappraisal and sexual desire. On the other hand, sexual desire had a significant negative relationship with procrastination, suppression/denial, distress tolerance, experiential avoidance, and depression (P<0. 01). Moreover, the results of regression analysis revealed that depression, cognitive reappraisal, and procrastination could predict sexual desire (coefficients: 0. 25, 0. 26, and 0. 24, respectively). Conclusion: The present results showed that emotional self-regulation, experiential avoidance, and depression were influential factors in sexual desire. Therefore, appropriate methods should be implemented to improve the teachers emotional self-regulation, experiential avoidance, and depressive symptoms in order to increase their sexual drive.

Introduction: Cognitive-motor skills form a large part of human life, and for many years researchers and educators have attempted to identify factors that influence their implementation. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive attentional focus instructions and exercise schedule on cognitive performance in elderly men. Method: The present study was a semi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest design and 4 experimental groups. Sixty elderly men from Ahvaz city aged 60-80 years were selected by voluntary random sampling in 2020 and randomly divided into four experimental groups (variable practice-internal attention, variable practice-external attention, constant practiceexternal attention, and constant practice-internal attention). The dartboard attached to the wall served as a tool. The research groups had 10 sessions and each session consisted of 3 blocks of 10 trials. Thus, the test was performed 48 hours after the subjects' last training session. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and mixed repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results of one-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference between the groups in the posttest phase (P=0. 001, F=11. 43). Tukey's post hoc test was used to test the differences. The results showed a significant difference between the variable practice-external attention group with variable practice-internal attention (P=0. 011), constant practice-external attention (P=0. 001), and constant practice-internal attention (P=0. 001) groups. However, no difference was found between the other study groups at this stage. Conclusion: Based on the research results, the combined group with variable practice-external attention performed better than the other groups. Considering that the variable practice-external attention training group showed better cognitive performance, geriatric sneakers and professionals are recommended to use the combined advantage of these two methods in their training plans.