JOURNAL OF FUNDAMENTALS OF MENTAL HEALTH
Year:2023 | Volume:25 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Introduction: The learning environment is important in providing successful education for students. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the quality of the learning environment and medical and dental students' satisfaction. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 386 medical and dental students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Kerman-Iran in 2021. The validated Dundee University (DREEM) questionnaire was filled out by the students of the Medicine and Dentistry faculties of the Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. The data analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Chisquare test, t-test, ANOVA, Tukey's test, and SPSS-17 software. Results: The mean score of the five areas of the learning environment was 113. 8 for medical and 110 for dentistry students, and the average score of the total learning environment for the entire population was 113. 5. Female students had higher average scores in the learning environment than males (P< 0. 05). In addition, the highest score was related to the area of understanding of academic ability (64. 11%) and understanding of learning (57. 2%), and the lowest average score was related to the area of understanding of social status (56. 38%). In contrast to the faculty of dentistry, students in the faculty of medicine had a positive and acceptable learning environment. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the students were satisfied with all aspects of the learning environment of their university, but the attention of the professors and managers should be more focused on the dental students to create a suitable learning environment.

Introduction: Masturbation is a challenging issue with varying prevalence rates in different societies. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention program based on self-control, emotion regulation, and Islamic teachings in treating adolescent masturbation. Materials and Methods: This single case study was conducted in 2018 with a purposeful sampling to recruit two participants from female high school counseling centers in Mashhad-Iran (single girls aged 16 and 17). Both participants had been masturbating for at least a year and received eight individual psychotherapy sessions. Data were collected using the Emotional Control Questionnaire (ERQ) and Masturbation Scale. The A-B-A design with a recovery index and effect size was used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using graph analysis and the recovery percentage method. The Blanchard and Schwarz's recovery percentage formula was used to analyze data from singlecase experimental designs. In this formula, the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores is divided by the pre-test score. Results: According to recovery percentage formula, 50% or more improvement is significant. The improvement will be clinically significant if a person's post-test score is lower than the cut-off point. Thus, the Islamic-based selfcontrol and emotion regulation intervention was effective in breaking the habit of masturbation in both participants, who also showed significant mental health improvements. After completing the treatment and follow-up periods, both participants demonstrated improved levels of masturbation frequency and emotion regulation. Conclusion: Based on the results, it seems that Islamic-based self-control and emotion regulation can effectively treat adolescents' masturbation.

Introduction: The present research aimed to compare the psychological profile of university students with and without a disciplinary record. Materials and Methods: The statistical populations of this descriptive and causal-comparative study, included all Ferdowsi University of Mashhad undergraduates with a verdict issued by the university committee on discipline in the academic years of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 and all undergraduates with no disciplinary record in the same academic year. A sample of 200 undergraduates was selected from each population with the purposive sampling method. Both groups responded to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed significant differences in depression (P= 0. 001), anxiety (P= 0. 006), and overall mental health scores (P= 0. 01) between two groups. Similarly, significant differences were found in neuroticism (P= 0. 001), openness to experience (P= 0. 001), agreeableness (P= 0. 001), and conscientiousness (P= 0. 001). Students with a disciplinary record showed more psychological problems than those without a disciplinary record. Moreover, they had higher scores for negative traits and lower scores for positive traits. Conclusion: Based on these findings, students with disciplinary records may have some special personality problems and need more psychological help. Also, these findings can contribute to developing disciplinary rules to prevent student infractions.

Introduction: This research aimed to compare the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training and Compassion-Focused Training (CFT) on stress coping styles in patients with coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this clinical study consisted of all patients with coronary heart disease who referred to Saman Cardiology Clinic in Mashhad in July-August 2021. Forty-five patients were selected by voluntary method. They were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental groups received MBSR based on the Kabat-Zinn (2005) training plan, or CFT based on the Gilbert (2009) training plan in 8 sessions. The participants fulfilled the stress coping styles questionnaire of Lazarus and Folkman (1988). Data were analyzed using the mixed variance analysis test with repeated measures and SPSS-23 software. Results: The results showed that training based on compassion increases the direct coping style and self-restraint and reduces the avoidance coping style and escape-avoidance coping style. The MBSR increases the responsibility coping style, planned problem-solving, positive reappraisal, and reduces escape-avoidance coping style, significantly (P< 0. 01). Also, the efficacy of MBSR on responsibility was significantly higher than CFT (P< 0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that, mindfulness-based stress reduction training and compassion-focused training can improve the psychological condition of patients with coronary artery disease.

Introduction: This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of emotion-based and compassionate mind-based therapy on post-traumatic growth and perceived positive and negative emotions in adult inpatients who have recovered from Coronavirus. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this cross-sectional study included all recovered patients diagnosed with Coronavirus in Mashhad-Iran during July-September 2021. Forty-five patients were selected and divided into three equal groups randomly (two experimental groups and one control group). The experimental groups received emotion-based therapy or compassionate mind-based therapy. The research instruments were the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Data were analyzed through mixed variance analysis, repeated measurements, and SPSS-23 software. Results: The results showed that there is no significant difference between the two interventions on post-traumatic growth and perceived positive and negative emotions in adult inpatients who have recovered from Corona,however, both therapies affect positive and negative emotions and post-traumatic growth in post-test and 3-month follow-up (P< 0. 05). Conclusion: Based on the results, emotion-based and compassionate mind-based therapy can improve posttraumatic growth and positive and negative emotions in adult inpatients who have recovered from Coronavirus.

Introduction: The research aims to determine the effectiveness of teaching techniques based on mindfulness and relaxation on students' test anxiety. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive-comparative study consisted of female students in the second year of the elementary Sama school in Sabzevar city-Iran (84 students). Thirty-six students with high score of test anxiety were selected and they were randomly divided into three groups (mindfulness training, muscle relaxation, and the control group). Two experimental groups received intervention during eight sessions. All participants simultaneously fulfilled test anxiety questionnaire one month after the intervention. Data analyzed through the t-test of independent groups, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's test, and SPSS software. Results: The findings showed that mindfulness training and Jacobsen's relaxation technique reduced test anxiety significantly in female students, but mindfulness training has greater effect size than relaxation technique (0. 67 vs 0. 58). Conclusion: Based on the results, it seems that cognitive therapy based on mindfulness can reduce test anxiety in elementary students more than Jacobsen's relaxation technique.

Introduction: Teaching sexual issues to students is one of the topics that requires discussion and examination due to cultural sensitivities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the attitudes of students and counselors towards the necessity and content of sexual education. Materials and Methods: This research constitutes a qualitative investigation employing a phenomenological approach. The sampling process was guided by the objectives of study and continued until data saturation was reached. The samples included 15 female students and 9 female counselors from high schools in Qaemshahr city-Iran. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, and the Morse content analysis method was utilized for data analysis. Results: Throughout the study, six primary themes emerged, each encompassing both shared and unique subthemes. The main themes included: 1) The imperative of delivering sexual education, 2) The sexual education requirements of young women, 3) Challenges in providing and receiving sexual education at home and school, 4) Appropriate sources of sexual information, 5) The suitable age for initiating sexual education, and 6) The pedagogical approach to addressing sexual matters. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that both students and counselors assert that offering sexual education in a timely and appropriate manner can mitigate numerous potential harms and contribute to the well-being of adolescents. Taking into consideration the essential educational themes as perceived by students and counselors facilitates more effective planning in this domain.

Introduction: This study investigated the mediating role of coping strategies in the relationship between personality traits and perceived stress with health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this descriptive and cross-sectional study included the citizens of Shirvan city-Iran. A number of 386 people were selected by the convenient sampling method. Research instruments included Iowa Personality Questionnaire, The Health Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and Multidimensional Coping Inventory. The data were analyzed using correlation, path analysis, SPSS and AMOS software. Results: The findings showed a significant relationship among traits of emotionality, perceived stress, problemoriented coping, emotion-oriented coping, and health anxiety (P< 0. 001). The results of path analysis showed that perceived stress and positive and negative emotionality affects health anxiety through emotion-oriented coping strategy. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the general population with high stress and negative emotionality could control their health anxiety using emotion-oriented strategies.